Progress - but behind schedule - Updated 07/14/20

The struggle continues with the giants this year but progress had been made since the last post on the 29th.  Each plant now has a potential female pumpkin as described below...

This morning here was the 250 plant and it has made a lot of growth since the 29th..

The first pumpkin on this plant was one pollinated by bees and it occurred as I was not home on that morning of the 5th.  Thus, I don't know what the pollinator host plant was, although it's likely it was carried by bees from its own male flowers (250 x 250).  That is not preferred (not knowing as genetics are in question).  Here was that pumpkin this morning sitting at an estimated 1.8 pounds on DAP8 (8 days after pollination)...

A weight of 1.8 pounds at DAP8 is not good (pathetic I would say).  I will likely terminate this pumpkin.  A second pumpkin (but on a secondary vine) was pollinated this morning (by me) from pollen from the 1713.5 Lancaster plant.  If this one takes and grows faster, I will remove the first DAP8 pumpkin.  I probably won't know that for a week.

On the 1257 plant - the plant growth is accelerating!  Here was that one this morning...

The first female (that was openly pollinated by bees on the 5th as I was gone) was removed as it was on a secondary vine. There was a second female that was pollinated farther down the main vine. That female was pollinated on the 9th from pollen from the 250 plant.  A third pumpkin was pollinated yesterday (13th) also using pollen from the 250 plant.  I'll make a determination on which one to keep at DAP10.  Here was the pumpkin pollinated on July 9th (DAP5)....

It actually looks like a good one considering it is at DAP5.  I'll know more in 2 or 3 days.

On the 1713 plant, it has shown incredible plant growth!  Nice branching and everything.  Being planted late in the season (June 1), I'm impressed.  I don't care how big a pumpkin I grow on this one.  I'll likely try it again next season (that is if I can find seed).  Or, hopefully I can get a pumpkin off of it and I'll use that seed for next season. This morning, here was that pumpkin plant.

There is also a female on that main vine (~16 feet down the main vine) that should be ready to pollinate tomorrow morning.  Hopefully it's a five lobe female (4 lobe is not preferred). I won't know until it opens.  The next candidate female is at least 5 days away (getting really late).

I'm expecting a big complex of storms tonight. Hopefully there won't be too much wind.  But, I'd bet we will get a good soaking which will benefit all the pumpkins!