Thanks guys....
I forgot to mention Southern Ca, 9a.
The leaf in the background against the wall is an artichoke that's been fighting a disease. That ones stems are fine, but the leaves start with tiny brown spots and expand and perforate thru both sides of the leaf creating brown holes everywhere.
it starts on the tomato stem as tiny brown-dark brown "Pitting"...It is only on the outer layer of the stem "Skin?"...it expands to join over time and then left with a dead branch.
I just tried scraping of what looked like a flaking brown spot on a higher stalk and it scraped right off leaving healthy looking flesh underneath if that makes any sense.....
I assumed pest as the stem literally looks chewed....???
going to look up both of what you both recommended now to learn more...mealy bugs? scale? haven't heard of them yet.
)...and el Nino has really kept up wet here this year vs others.
