Today, I start counting the vegetative period, the fifth day since the seedlings were placed in the soil. This is their first day receiving indirect sunlight, protected by the tree canopy.
This is one of the biggest challenges in the early stages of life. Many insects love these delicate seedlings, and too much sun can damage them quickly. On the other hand, too much water can rot the fragile stem. The soil can’t be too soggy, but it also shouldn’t dry out completely.
What I try to do is observe and let nature follow its course without interfering too much.