I received a Jalapeno pepper plant as a gift from my daughter two years ago. I live in Minnesota and have managed to keep it alive and fairly healthy. Last fall, the top 4-5 inches of the stem started turning yellow and appeared to be migrating downward. I am not a plant person, but I thought I had heard that the yellow portion should be pruned before it affected the rest of the plant. I looked up pruning on the internet and it said to prune about 3/4 of an inch above a good (branch) of the plant. When I performed this procedure about 3 weeks ago, I noticed the stem is hollow and is open to the elements. This (wound) has not healed over and I don't know what to do about it. Is there some kind plant patch or something to protect the plant, or do I just leave it alone? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Pepper plants should not have hollow stems - it is a sign the stem is still dying. You can leave it and see where new growth comes out or prune until you see solid stems.

If you decide to leave it alone for now and are still worried about the hollow stem, put a dab of cinnamon on it. Cinnamon is a natural fungicide.

Daisyl is right! You need to cut it back until you see a solid stem. This will cause it to put its energy into new growth. Plants try to save any sick or yellowing parts of there body. The best way to become a plant person is to watch how they grow.

Thank you so much for your replies!