Question
I have both growing in a fenced in area since they spread so much.  Now, the
leaves have become enormous, growing upwards.I see lots of flowers but don't
see any fruit.  Should I cut the plants back so the part on the ground gets more
sun?  How can I encourage fruit growth & discourage leaf growth

Answer
Squash, like most plants, can be pruned to encourage a more stocky growth habit. But keep in mind, the more a plant is pruned, the more side shoots it send out, which results in more foliage.

One negative that I have found is that pruning squash often leaves them more vulnerable to certain insects, especially the squash vine borer that will boar into the vine and spread disease. That is why I plant my squash a minimum of 2 feet apart and allow them to spread freely.

Unless the vine is totally taking over the area, I would take another approach to encourage more blooms and less foliage. Spray the plants with a fertilizer high in phosphorus. Phosphorus is the second element on the front of fertilizer packages, and is responsible for promoting more blooms and larger fruit. Nitrogen, the first number, promotes lush foliage but at the expense of a good harvest. A good nutrient ratio is 10-20-20.

Also, make sure there are bees in the area for proper pollination. I always grow bright annuals in close proximity to my fruiting vegetables to attract bees and to make sure they are adequately pollinated.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike