Question
Hello AE

I have a couple of large Nepenthes (N. alta, N. X miranda) that I just transplanted. Over the past two weeks the top caps of the pitchers on both plants have browned and shriveled up. I have not had this happen with my smaller plants. There is new growth sprouting, and their leaves look dark green and glossy. Could this top browning be caused by transplant shock?
The plants are growing in a large indoor greenhouse (5?tall x 20?x 48? with good ventilation. They are in front of a East window with at least 4 hours of direct light, and with an adjacent South window that offers all of my plants indirect light for 12 hours.

You guys are great!

Thank you

Answer
Yes, this is quite normal.  We see this happening to our plants after repotting.  Nepenthes has a very fine, delicate root system.  Any disturbance to their roots, and the plant has trouble transporting water to aerial portions of the plant.  The lids are usually the place where the plant will shut down because it's not entirely necessary for plant function or overall health.  That way the plant can refocus its energy in developing new roots.  I recommend keeping the pitcher on the plant for several more months, or until they brown completely.  The plant will still absorb any nutrients left in the pitcher.  It's just that the upper portion that will dry up.

You won't see this happen as much with smaller plants because their roots are as extensive.  You can easily repot a small plant with minimal root disturbance, but that's much harder to do with a larger plant.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin