I plant my seedling rows 12 inches apart and plant each seedling in the row at the trowels length. Must be about 10 inches. I select after two years because my seedlings have grown to the space allotted. If I left them in the row for three years they would be growing into each other. If I planted at 4 - 6 inches , like others I would be moving them the next year after planting.
I select about 25 percent of seedling planted , then reselect in another 2 - 3 years. The numbers go down quickly.
The initial selection( after 2 years). If I dont like a seedling I only let it bloom a few time then cut the seedling to the ground.
