I don't know what's the real problem here... I already lost three little seedlings from rot. Other two I'll guess will follow. Two are maybe growing they put up a new leaf each... but it's so slow.
All the seedlings were really small.

Plus, I put directly in the ground two germinated seeds. I saw the small leaves some day ago, but now they look like they won't make it.

I'm trying to not water them too much because this clay soil looks dry on surface but it's still moist underneath it so I try to check carefully. Tonight it rained and I have no control on rain.

So I'm thinking of taking them out of there, check them and pot them, to see if they survive.
My poor little seedlings.
I don't know were the problem is, maybe the soil is too "hard" for tiny roots?

The soil should have been loosened enough for the roots when you dug the hole to plant them. Are any weeds growing where they are?

It wasn't a real hole they are small and so roots are. But then the soil gets compacted by itself. Some weed start to show but very few and very small. Not near the little seedlings. Weeds are rare here.

I would probably pot them up to give them better growing conditions until they get bigger.

I would pot them too.

Thanks girls. I will check if I have enough potting soil, it's not raining now so I may do it right this afternoon.

cybersix said:It wasn't a real hole they are small and so roots are. But then the soil gets compacted by itself. Some weed start to show but very few and very small. Not near the little seedlings. Weeds are rare here.

If weeds are not growing near the seedlings then I'd wonder about the soil, unless you recently cultivated it and they haven't had time yet. Have you sprayed them with anything - you were thinking of using a fungicide earlier?

Done. All the roots were at risk. I found the as they were sunk in the ground..The smallest seedlings, the ones that sprouted in the ground could possibly die. One is very bad looking, I found the seed still attached, and her sister has no root but a sort of gem so I potted them. The soil in the ground was really wet because of the rain... Now I have a free "bed" and I could try to amend it well before using it again for planting the seedlings (the ones that will survive).

I guess the soil as it is it's too difficult for such small plants.

@sooby sorry I was composing my reply while you wrote.
That bed was full of sedum. I cleaned everything the past month then planted my seedlings. They didn't get any spray because they are far from the ones suffering from spring sickness, and just one of those did get her spray. I hope to have better control on pots. Thunderstorms are expected so I can recover them in the small greenhouse I have!

I agree with potting them up. Seedlings started in pots are easier to
have some degree of control over their growth, maintenance, and/or any
problems that may occur. At least, that has been the case for me.

A little of that thunderstorm could be the best thing for your potted seedlings.

Is there any chance that a pre-emergent herbicide could have been applied to your growing areas? Perhaps in the form of a "Weed and Feed" lawn product?

I had to recover them because of the strong winds. I've never used any herbicide. I think the problem is with soil, it's not draining water and this for small seedlings with small roots it's a problem.

Another factor is the brief sun exposure in that area right now. 2-3 hours of direct sun is not enough to let a small plant overcome any adversity. That, combined with the time of year, means that your soil is almost certainly too cool to help much.

How bad is the drainage? When it rains, is there standing water? If so, for how long? I've seen daylilies thrive in wet conditions, such as in areas with a high water table, or at the edges of ponds and streams. I've also had them do surprisingly well when the rootball of soil was submerged in a 5-gallon bucket of water. A clump of Sausalito Dawn actually lived for 3 years, blooming every year until a record-setting cold snap froze the bucket solid for a week.

Ken, when they were in the ground they didn't had much sun. Now that I potted them I can move the pots to follow the sun.
I think the roots were too small tu survive in that soil. Water doesn't stand in surface but just under is a totally compacted humid pack of clay. I guess it was too much for these so small roots. I believe air doesn't circulate much.
Many thanks for your post!