Let it be. Your mom's past experiences show that mother nature will put it to sleep when it should be and that it will begin regrowing in spring at the right time.

I posted on another thread (after reading yet another thread on pruning) and the response was to go ahead and prune even though I"m not certain what type of vine it is (I, II, III), but I didn't ask when it should be pruned. she wont be back home until mid April, so is it best to just leave it like you said and then in April prune it back? or do it now, so that it will be ready to start regrowing in the spring? And is it like pruning a rose? do you cut EVERY part of it back?

I would wait to prune next April. If she prunes now, she might stimulate growth now which is not what she wants. Depending on where your mom lives in Idaho, April will probably be a perfect time to prune them.

She lives about 60 miles south of Boise near the Oregon border. They are having pretty warm temps still in the 70's she said this week. I'll pass along your tips, thanks very much!!! (with all she has to do to leave for 6 months, she will be glad not to have to worry about these plants) and she also told me later today, that she has pruned them as well as some years left them alone, and the WHOLE vine is covered with flowers (regardless of what she has done) so they should be fine :)

Mom's know best! :)