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.
Echoing what everyone else has said, peppers love heat. Ours were started about the same time as yours and they look about the same. They don’t really start popping off until they are outside, with room to grow and it gets hot hot.
Good job getting them started so early, I’m sure you will be rewarded once their established root systems are given the environment they need to thrive in.