BackyardBouquets_17 this is only my 3rd year growing seedlings, so I'm still experimenting and learning... last year I potted up seedlings in 4,5, and 6" diameter pots. When I went to plant, I planted the best, largest (bushiest, tallest, robust ones) at 12" apart in a prime location( they were planted in the ground still in their pot, to deter gophers). The best seedlings count was about 48 plants( top 26%). I continued along this strategy with planting the smallest, least robust seedlings(about 44 seedlings, bottom 23% ) at 4-5" apart.
One very interesting result was there was only one keeper(2%) of the least robust seedlings, while 5-6(12%) of the most robust seedlings were saved to grow another year. The ones in between, 62% of the 2024 seedlings(about 92 seedlings) were just average robustness at planting time, were planted 12" on center(drippers distance). Of those 62% "good" and "ok" seedlings, about 7-8( about 9%) were dug to grow another year. I can already see that some 2025 seedlings have genetically smaller, less robust growth habit. Those seedlings I'll give a special treatment(limited in ground space), by planting into 2" x 2.66" x 6" pots. I'll grow them in a tub and bottom water them. If any of them have great blooms, I'll plant them into the flower beds, at 12" on center.
Health........count.........spacing..........% saved to grow again
....Best.................48..................12".....................12%
....Good/OK.......92.................12"....................... 9%
....Sad/small......44.................4-5"....................... 2%
