First time pepper planter questions

This year I tried [for the first time] to grow serranos and jalepenos. They look like they're coming in great but I have a few questions:

1. How do you know when the peppers are ripened enough to pick?
2. What does it mean when some of the serranos have turned red? At the very least, I'm assuming that this means that they're pretty ripened. However, does letting them get to this stage affect the flavor?

Thanks in advance for the help...

1. It takes a little time to judge, but what I look for is when they are not getting any larger, but have not yet turned red. (I prefer them green.) Pick one and try it. Pick another in a few days or a week. You'll develop a sense for where you like 'em.

2. When they turn red, they are fully ripe. At this point, they get a little sweeter, and the flesh gets a little softer.

I don't have a lot of experience with serranos, but for jalas, they're fine to use as soon as they're of a decent size. If you press on them and the flesh yields, the walls are too thin; otherwise they'll be fine. It depends on the variety, though: I've had some that are smaller and ripe, some that are bigger.

Red yields a different flavor, and can be great roasted on the grill, makes a very different texture and flavor for salsas versus the sharper green ones.

Depending on heat and water, jalas will develop cracks and lines running the length of the fruit. They're not beautiful, bu they taste the same.

I have found my red jalapenos to be significantly less hot than the green ones.