White "stuff" On Stem of Bell Pepper Plants and Wilting

[aarnswife]

I am a new person here and a brand new veggie gardener. I have had a time this year with all of my veggies and they have yielded very little so far. I am in the Dallas area.

My Bell Pepper plants have a white something on the stem and the leaves are wilting, but, for the first time they have about 7 - 9 peppers on them. I have only gotten 3 very small ones so far this year.

Does anyone know what that is or what I need to do? TIA!

[evtubbergh]

It looks like scale or mealy bugs. Wipe them off. Use horticultural soap or rubbing alcohol if you want.