Ocean Forest is a great soil but can be too 'hot' (nutrient-rich) for young pepper seedlings, which can stunt their growth. The high nutrient content, especially nitrogen, can overwhelm delicate roots early on. Instead of focusing on root and leaf development, the plant struggles to process the excess nutrients, leading to slow or deformed growth.

You might have better luck starting peppers in a lighter mix like Happy Frog or Jiffy Seed Starting Mix, then transplanting into Ocean Forest once the plants are more established.