What does this mean? (From an article on cucumber growing...)

[ddiogyn]

On growing cucumbers, it advises here: "Continue to tie up the leading shoot and remove all the tendrils as the appear."

What purpose would removing the tendrils (those tentacle-y things that help the vine grip?) serve?

It also advises a high-nitrogen feed for sustained fruiting and to prevent bitterness; i've been using generic tomato feed - should i switch?

[Two_Sheds]

Some growers remove the tendrils on sweet peas too: they think it helps direct the plant's energy into making flowers

[rustylady]

And if you're tying it in you don't need to keep the tendrils, do you?

[ddiogyn]

That makes sense Mine have been left to their own devices and are growing voraciously; shall leave them to get on with it as they are.

[SarzWix]

I think cucumbers use more nitrogen than tomatoes do, possibly because the fruits are green? Maybe you could alternate the tomato feed with a more general purpose feed? Or, if you have them, sprinkle a few chicken manure pellets on the surface of the cucumber pots and that will give them a bit of extra nitrogen.