Question
Hi,
I live in San Diego CA, and I had a question regarding my N.Ventrata. I just recently bought my N.Ventrata from your nursery. I was very pleased with the quality of the plant(as I am with every order from you guys). When I opened the box it had six healthy pitchers(as expected). I kept the plant in the same pot with the same growing medium,    which looks to me like long fiber sphagnum and orchid bark. I hung the plant in my west window (which faces south slightly) where it receives about 4 to 5 hours of sun along with one of my healthy drosera capensis'. My concern is 5 of the 6 pitchers have started to shrivel away. Half of each of the 5 pitchers are completely shriveled. One pitcher is still growing and has started producing more fluids. The rest of the plant is healthy! The side shoots seem to be producing some new pitchers. I was just wondering if the rest of the pitchers withering away is just part of the adaptation process, and if the plant will be fine. I believe I should clip of the 5 pitchers, if you think otherwise let me know.Thanks again.
-Justin

Answer
Hi Justin,

What you're witnessing is primarily an acclimation issue.  I know that San Diego has been experiencing an unusual heatwave, while at our nursery in Oregon we've been experiencing unusually cooler weather.  Plants are sensitive to extreme environmental changes.  In the case of your Nepenthes, it expresses its sensitivity by dropping its pitchers.  

Your lighting is fine.  Your plant just didn't like the extreme change in temperature and humidity.  As long as the leaves are healthy and you see new growth, your plant is healthy and will acclimate in time.  

Unfortunately, the damaged pitchers won't recover.  As they start drying up, clip them off near the tip of the leaf.  Clip them when you can't stand looking at the dried pitchers any more.  In due time, your plant will produce a set of new pitchers that would be perfectly acclimated to your area.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin