pruning ?

My cucumbers are going nuts...they have grown up/above the top of the 5' trellis and are threatening to take over the half the box. I didn't chose the best location for the box - they are getting a decent amount of wind where they are located but we just moved into the house... so I didn't realize it was that bad in that location. I can't tell if the damage on the cukes are bugs or wind damage where the plants is rubbing against itself. (probably both) We just had a tropical depression come through with 30+ mph winds so I think wind damage might be a problem... On a regular day, the wind is 10-15 mph up here. I am thinking about pruning out some of the leaves/branches that are either wrapping around each other and rubbing on each other and/or that are spreading out to other squares.... The more leaves - the better the cholorphyll exposure and the more energy given to the plants - but I think the "pricklies" on the leaves/stems might be causing more damage than good with the wind. I have seen a ton of flowers - but no fruit yet - I think the flowers might be getting knocked off b4 they are getting pollinated.

good idea/bad idea?

generally speaking, in my experience, slight damage to a plant will usually heal, wind will make the plant stronger if they can tolerate it.
There is a video on youtube (and in a thread here on the forum) about pruning climbing cucumbers, the woman advises, that when she grows them in her green house she prunes all the vertical side shoots of cucumbers. She says that she gets a higher yield...
I have no practical experience with pruning cucumbers aside from taking off old or huge leaves.

thanks - I will go looking for it...

https://youtu.be/vynBNJqtVNg

thanks for the link... hmm... I am WAY past that point in the growth cycle. These are full up branches/vines with flowers/etc. But there is def damage where leaves/branches/etc are crossing each other/rubbing on each other so I think I need to take out at least some of them.... Not to mention - I can't even see if there are fruit growing in there.....

I plant them thickly and I tend to thin out the foliage of the cucumbers as I want to increase air circulation and I want to find the cukes. They are very good at hiding. Good luck.

Prune them ... no worries.

I've had to trim mine almost daily when they start taking off.

Just make sure you have cover for the blooks/cukes (sunscald)

well - I whacked away at them today... the 4 plants had pretty much taken over the entire trellis - leaving no room for the beans and peas. lets see how well they appreciate the better air circulation and sunshine....