Question

Nepenthes alata  

The whole plant   Ok I read the email that I was just sent and I will be happy to tell you what growing changes or anything new I have added: ok so In the winter I take all my tropical plants in my basement and there is a south window that they get there sunlight from but I don't know if they are getting enough all my other plants are fine it's just the nepenthes I am concerned about and this is the first year I have had a nepenthes and I find them very fascinating and beautiful with there colors so that is why I am so eager to save this plant but ya I'm am just not sure it is getting enough sunlight because it's leaves have turned plasticky ill show pictures but it is around 65 degrees in my basement so maybe it could be the tempature and lack of sunlight but here are some photos of them

Answer
Hi Ashton,

Thanks for the additional information and photos.

There is a good chance that the they are not getting enough light, and in a basement where you live, it's is probably too cool.  Nepenthes are true tropical plants, and even thought N. alata is often classified as a highland variety, day temperatures should be in the 70's at least.  When I first saw your plant the first guess about the darkening stem was cold, or being over watered.  Be sure your plant isn't sitting in water like you would for sundews or Sarracenia.  Nepenthes are not bog plants, and will rot.

What I would do is move your plant to the main level of the house where it's warmer.  Try and find the sunniest window you can.  If you don't have a sunny window, you'll need to consider using artificial light.  If the stem with the black dies, just cut it off.  You have new shoots growing below where you cut, so those will start growing faster.

If you do have a sunny window where it's warmer, you'll probably see new pitcher production in late March when the days get longer.  

Hope this helps.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com