I have a stockade fence and I stapled the wire fencing with a 4in grid to it. I grow the malabar and snow peas up the wire fencing. I also use this method for my annual vines. I have never cut the malabar, it will make lots of seeds and next year you will have more then enough plants. ;o)

Jen,

I made a quick and simple tipi out of long bamboo branches, stuck into the ground and tied together at the top. It's tied to a papaya tree at the top too for extra support. The malabar spinach is growing up the papaya now, way out of reach.
They like nice compost and fertilizer, but are not too fussy.
I also have some growing on a 4' fence that just grows that height.
You can keep trimming the growing tips to keep the vine full and controlled. Eat the trimmings, as well as the leaves.
Malabar spinach loves heat and grows so robustly in the summer. It will die back during the winter, but will reseed itself. And you can save the abundant seeds.
I think it's a beautiful vine.

Did you see any Okinawa spinach at ECHO? Supposed to be a good edible ground cover. I just got a couple of cutting from ill-mannered ache. They're growing well in pots still. Can't wait to try some.

How was your visit to ECHO? Would love to hear more.

Thanks Kate and TF, do you have to tie the vine to the support? I don't see any clinging tendrils, or do you just help it weave itself around? ECHO did have the Okinawa spinach, I wish now I had bought some. Their prices are very good and it's a good cause. I think the spinach's were $4 to $6 for very nice size plants. They had an excellent selection of all kinds of rare fruits, some herbs and a terrific selection of citrus. They had a few smaller citrus in 1 gallon pots for $25 and mostly citrus in 3 gallon (I think) pots for $45. I also got a beautiful cranberry hibiscus, var. tapioca, huge pot of garlic chives, couple of citrus and a pomegranate. I got there too late to tour the garden so I definitely hope to make a trip back soon and be able to spend more time.