My "Big Jim" hatch chile plant isn't looking very big yet. The Guizeppi Milds and California Wonders are doing a bit better. This was the first day I took them all outside for a few hours to start the hardening off process. I've had them inside with a fan and grow lights up until now.
I expected some flowering at this point, but it's been stupidly cold and rainy here since I planted back in late March (I'm in 6a/6b), so maybe I'm expecting too much too soon? Next week is the first week it will in theory be above 55 degrees F overnight.
I've also been battling gnats (sticky traps and mosquito dunks for the win), which is weird to me because with the fan, the top layer of soil dries out pretty quickly, but I think I have them managed now.
I start mine off under lights, indoors, about 2 months before they're going into the ground. It's still cooler than they like, but they usually get the size of OP's plants, and the head start means plenty of time to harvest.
Yeah, this is what I did, started them out inside, with a Vivosun heat mat, lights, and a tent. I had hoped it would be warm enough here now to start moving the operation outdoors.
My challenge is getting the seeds to sprout when I try to do the same. Indoors is still too cold for sprouting so I'm going to try a heating pad next year.
I got a vivosun seed mat - under $15, around 80°F. Pretty happy with it.
I tried a heating mat for the first time this year, it is a total gamechanger wrt germination reliability and speed, much recommended!