What is wrong with my cardinal flowers and why aren't they blooming?

Are there any small flecks on the leaves of your cardinal flower that expand into tan brown necrotic spots?

Are the seedlings dying?

Are there any small, angular, gray-brown spots with defined darker red-brown margins on leaves?

Are the leaves of your cardinal flower yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the leaves on your cardinal flower pale on their upper side and are there any dusty blisters on the undersides?

Are the leaves of your cardinal flower curled and distorted?

Do the leaves of your cardinal flower have large, ragged holes in them?

Do the leaves and flowers have holes?

Cercospora leaf blight is caused by a fungus that can be introduced through infected seed and spread by wind or water splash. Plant only pathogen-free cardinal flower seeds from a reputable nursery. Apply copper-based foliar fungicide to the cardinal flower if the disease emerges. Keep the area clean and be sure to dispose of plant debris.

If the seedlings of your cardinal flower are dying the probable cause is a damping-off disease. Damping-off is caused by various soil fungi. Damaged seedlings can't be healed so, the best course of action is to remove them. To prevent damping-off let the soil surface dry between waterings, thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding, and do not add nitrogen fertilizers until plants have developed leaves.

These symptoms on cardinal flower indicate fungal disease - Septoria leaf spot. This disease is most severe during rainy seasons in closely planted gardens. The disease usually appears when the plants begin to set fruit. Remove and destroy infected plant debris around your cardinal flower. Don't handle or brush against plants when they are wet. Rotate plantings. Remove weeds growing nearby.

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate root rot disease. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot in cardinal flowers so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

The likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - rust. Provide good air circulation around plants by thinning them. Avoid making the leaves of the cardinal flower wet when watering. All infected leaves should be removed. Spray leaves with sulfur early in the season to prevent rust or to treat mild infections.

Distorted and curled leaves in cardinal flower are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. Leaves, stems, and buds get distorted and later leaves and flowers drop from the plant. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Large, ragged holes in the leaves of cardinal flowers are caused by slugs and snails. Slugs and snails feed on the plant leaves usually at night. To control slugs and snails use diatomaceous earth around your plants. You can also handpick them during the night or use shallow dishes filled with beer as a trap.

Holes in leaves and flowers are caused by Japanese beetles, pests that can seriously damage foliage. Handpick adult beetles into a can of soapy water but make sure to wear gloves as Japanese beetles are blister beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to limit beetle grub populations. Use pyrethrin powder or neem oil as a last resort.

Leaves stippled with yellow are caused by spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plants' leaves. You can control spider mites by spraying your cardinal flower thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap.