Question
QUESTION: I just bought a nepenthes kuchingensis and I have no earthly idea of how to care for it or if it is a lowland or highland or what.
I was hoping you could give me some tips on kuchingensis care. I live in the Texas Panhadle and the weather here gets crazy!!! One day it is 95篎 and the next day it drops to about 55篎 !!! So as you can see it is really tricky to keep up with the plants here.
Thanks!!!!

ANSWER: Hi Brayant,

Your plant is a natural hybrid of Nepenthes ampullaria and Nepenthes mirabilis, which means it's definitely a lowland Nepenthes.  For general care information, please read our care sheet on our main website:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

If you have specific question regarding the care of your plant, please feel free to write back.  Otherwise the care sheet will give you good pointers.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Ohhh!!! I set the kuchingensis in the hot sun from 10 to somewhere around 4 in the afternoon, and when I checked it at noon the leaves were sort of a bit dry and were starting to shrivel, but not turn brown just wrinkly. I am thinking the sun was too strong on them. Now I don't know what to do!!! Please help!!!

Answer
Ideally you'll needed to have acclimated your plant to that type of sunlight.  Keep in mind that most nurseries grow Nepenthes in climate controlled greenhouses, so they don't always experience very hot sunlight.  Some Nepenthes will tolerate direct sunlight, but they need to be acclimated first.  Think of it like developing a base tan before going to the beach.  Without a base tan, you likely will develop a severe case of sunburn.  Same is true for plants.

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do for the plant.  The damage is permanent, and if it's too severe, you may lose the plant from dehydration.

For now, grow your plant in a windowsill with gentle sunlight, like an east window.  Avoid windows with hot direct sun.  Give your plant lots of water and make sure the soils is always moist.

Only time will tell whether or not the plant will make it.  Give your plant a couple weeks.  If the central stem starts to blacken, then the plant is likely on its way out.  If the central stem remains green, then there's hope for the plant.  Again, only time will tell.  Cut off any dead leaves as they occur.