Maypop passionvine growing too tall, can I cut it back?

I am SO thrilled, out of a bunch of maypop seeds I was given by a nice DG'er, only 2 plants came up (out of three I planted directly in the soil; none of the ones I planted inside in peat pots germinated). Bluebirds dug up one, and the other one has thrived, it's tall and beautiful, and I now see little GF (I think; there have also been some variegated frits hanging around) cats on the leaves!!! Problem is, the plant is now growing beyond its trellis and heading for the eaves and the roof. Husband is having a fit. If I trim it down a bit, will I hurt the plant or will it just maybe concentrate on some new growth on the bottom? If I CAN trim it safely, can the cutting be rooted, and how? Please help!!

Would your DH care if you let it grow along the deck railing there? You could just reroute it. I'm sure others will come along and give you more ideas. : )
~Lucy

I had sort of thought that too Ms Lucy, but now I think it's too late, the tendrils are wrapped around that lattice all the way up! I should've been better prepared, I had read so many things here on DG about how this plant takes off! I'd bought a cute tepee shaped dohickey for it to grow up, and once it got to the top, I probably should've rerouted it over to the railing right then and there. Instead, I had Husband rig up this old trellis so it could go higher. It's like Jack's Beanstalk!! What a hoot, this is so fun, I love vines!!!!! Well, except for the bad guys, like kudzu!!

I would just turn the part that is off the trellis around so it continues to fill up the empty spaces. You could cut it off, but as soon as the caterpillars start munching away, I think the problem will solve itself.

I see you do have one tendril that has escaped to the porch so looks like you'll have that vine growing on your railing anyway! I agree with snuzer29, just start easing that top tendril back down toward your trellis. I always try to keep a real close eye on vines (every couple of days at least) so I can train them the way I want them to go. I zigzag them back and forth across the trellis so it will be more full looking and won't reach the top as quickly. But, snuzer is also right about those cats--once they start snacking on your vine, you won't have to worry about pruning it.

You can clip those tendrils and it won't hurt the plant. I clip mine all the time if I want to reroute it a different way. Just be easy when you are rerouting, sometimes the vine breaks easy.
If you decide to cut the tall part off, it won't hurt the plant. It will just grow some more vines. I wack at mine all the time. : )
~Lucy

Your Maypop will be there and will 'pops' up else where all around the garden for years to come, they send out underground stolons and they'll be abundant. Congrats on your butterflies and cats. Likes any other plants. Prune them only stimulate new growth and make them more lush with lateral branches. Weaving them around would work just as well. Have fun.
Kim

Clipping it back some won't hurt the plant, but if you want it to go to the deck, then I would definately pull the vines down and wind them in the lower areas. I clip pieces all the time for my cats to eat when I take them inside. I agree with the others as to when you start having caterpillars, you will need all the vine you can get! But I also agree with the DH, you don't want it to get up too high either; like any vine it can damage your soffet and roof.
You could take some twine and run lines from the top of the trellis over to the deck railing for it to attach to, if that is where you want it to go. If you aren't wanting a large vine in that area, then you have the wrong plant! It needs room to grow.

Thanks to all of you, I appreciate all your info!!! What a cool plant, I am SO glad I have it (will I be changing my mind when it starts taking over the house?). I wanted it for the frits, and they've already gratified my wishes, so things are a GO!!!!

We will expect some pictures of your GFs and the cats too now! LOL!