Question

pitcher plant   i bought a pitcher plant with red upper halfs and green lower halfs right now ever since the new pitcher came in about half of the current pitchers are turning brown but the leaves are alright and growing just fine. its November 13th i had moved it into my room and its hanging on the ceiling. i also give it rain water from a container in my garage because the man who sold me this said not to give pleasanton tap water instead use bottled or best rain water not to give direct 12:00 sun but morning sun is alright. so what temperature and humidity does it need and is this a normal thing to happen for this time of year? im just a beginner and dont know so much about carnivorous plant care.

i have plenty of images to give so i may end up sending a 2nd email to show another image. as seen in this image the left pitcher on the left is newer than the one in the right.

Answer
Hi Nathan,

Loosing pitchers is quite normal when you bring a Nepenthes home since it needs to adjust to new temperatures and humidity.  This one is Nepenthes x deRoose's alata, which is (N. alata x ventricosa)x N. alata, a hybrid.  It's a very durable plant.  Keep it in a sunny window, and I mean the sunniest window you have.  It will not pitcher unless it's getting enough sun.  It's unlikely it will be too bright indoors since glass blocks most of the UV light.  Keep the soil moist, but don't set the pot in water.  For more information visit our caresheet pages:  http://www.cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=32  Also consider our volume #3 DVD.

Good Growing!

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