[rcf100]

I'll see what I can do, maybe butcher a pot and use it to protect the stem

[Agatha]

I don't usually bother with pinching out tips on cucumbers - 2-3 plants give me more cucumbers than I can cope with & I give loads away.  If you only have one plant or want fewer but giant cucumbers it might be worth pinching out the tips. (But I think smaller ones taste better anyway)