Cayenne - long thin...leave them on the plant?

[mitchNC]

I planted 26 cayenne plants this year because the sauce was so good last year.
 
Can I leave them on the plant until I have enough for a batch of sauce?
There are only about a dozen that are bright red.
 
Will the fruit grow in size if left on the plant?

 

[Doelman]

no, they only ripen once full size.  Once they're fully ripe, might as well cut them off and bring them inside, they'll keep better in the fridge. Outside they'll either start to rot, get eaten, or dry up.  If you need to store them longer than a week or two, you can freeze them.

 

[mitchNC]

Thanks.  I picked 27 peppers.  I guess enough for a very small mash for experimenting.