I'm growing my first banana pepper plants. I've already harvested the first
pepper and there's another that looks like it's ready. My problem is I'm
not sure when they are ready. The first one was about 6-7" long (if it were
straightened out) and about 2-3" in circumference near the stem. Had it
reached maturity? It was firm and smelled great without cutting it. I put
it in a salad and it tasted good but not quite as strong as I expected.

Thanks.