Question

N. kuchingensis x viki   QUESTION: hey guys,
i was given a kuchingensis x viking yesterday as a gift. it came unpotted (hate that!) but looks healthy with 11+" leaves. luckily i had some of your nepenthes mix on hand (thanks again Jacob!). iv never grown a lowland but i know that kuchingensis is a lowland hybrid itself,so im wondering if its going to be one of those that will want exacting conditions or would it be able to grow closer to intermediate with lower humidity? im in zone 5-6 so im sure it will love our summers but thats a long way off.
thanks guys
and have a great holiday!
Bryan

ANSWER: Hi Bryan,

Very nice plant.  We haven't grown this particular variety, but many hybrids such as this are very tolerant of household conditions.  The main thing will be to give it a good bright window, regular watering, and time.  Since it is winter, and the days are short, you probably won't see any new pitchers until after the equinox in March.  Since it is of lowland ancestry, try to keep it in the 70's or warmer.

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks alot! so do you think it could handle as much light as highland, straight sun i mean? the paper with it said no direct sun and 50% humidity, but i trust you befor the instructions.
many thanks again for all you do
bryan

Answer
Hi Bryan,

I've never been sure why they write that on those tags, but if we are talking indoor growing, no direct sun almost always = no pitchers.  Glass blocks around 80% of UV light, so I always like to err on the side of too much light instead of too little.  Give it a sunny window.  In nature Nepenthes are rarely found in the dense understory.  They are usually in openings in the forest, and many climb to get to more sun.  Once in awhile I find that someone has a large window that is really hot and they need to move a plant back some, but this is far, far rarer than plants not getting enough sun.

Good Growing!

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