Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 1/12/2012

Question
Is your guys nepenthes ampullaria x rafflesiana You had the same as nepenthes Hookeriana. And i thought you guys said it adapts to highland conditions. After putting mine in my window seal next to nepenthes sanguenia and glabrata it has not did so well. There is artificial lights for extra light but the plant seems to have very thin leafs not the diamiter but the thikness of the leaf is very thin. A new leaf coming out after being in the cool window is very flimsy and it is a very brown color and i think its going to die. Please Help.

Answer
I need a bit more information before I can properly assist you.  There are many factors that affect plant growth, and I don't have all the facts.  You mentioned that you grew your plants next to a window, but you didn't mention if it were a north, south, east or west window.  This will help me determine how much light the plant is receiving.  You should also provide the type of lighting, intensity, distance and hours.  

I'll also need temperature of your windowsill, both nighttime and daytime temperatures.  You mentioned growing your plant next to the window, but I'm not sure how cold it gets next to your window.  I'm not sure if it gets warm enough during the day either.  Make sure to take the temperature in the same location as your plants.

A clear photo of your plant would also help me determine if what you're seeing is normal or cold damage from the windowsill.

With that said, I can at least help clear up some of the confusion mentioned in your message.

1) Yes, hooreriana is the common name for the hybrid rafflesiana x ampullaria.  Our label reads Nepenthes rafflesiana x ampullaria.

2) It's been our experience that this plant will acclimate to highland conditions provided that the plant has been properly acclimated.  Our greenhouse conditions have dropped to the low 50s (°F) at night, which defines highland conditions.  (Ultra highland conditions typically drops even further than that, but not going below freezing.)  

However, the definition of highland and lowland doesn't factor in daytime temperatures.  It's strictly about nighttime temperatures.  Both highland and lowland plants still needs warm days, above 75°F.  (Ultra highland plants do better if the days are 60°-70°F.)  

If the daytime temperature is below 70°, the plant may not thrive as well.  Warm days are needed for both highland and lowland plants.  So keep in mind that highland and lowland conditions are defined specifically by nighttime temperatures.  While highland plants can generally tolerate cooler days better than lowland plants, it's the nighttime temperatures that define whether growing conditions are highland or lowland.  Always make sure plants receive the proper daytime temperatures.   

3) While some lowland plants can acclimate to highland conditions, they invariably grow best in lowland conditions.  In highland conditions, you would see smaller and fewer pitchers.  Still, the plant will grow OK, just not as vigorously than if you were to grow it in lowland conditions.  This is one of the few lowland plants that will grow in our greenhouse.  So we can safely offer it to other growers who have highland conditions, but want to give a lowland plant a try.

4) The leaves on this hybrid are also thinner than highland plants, such as glabrata.  This is generally true for most lowland species and hybrids.  So what you're seeing is normal.

5) When grown in bright lighting, the plant will produce reddish leaves.  When they first emerge, they appear light brown.  They eventually turn red.  At this time, I can't determine of the brown leaf is the normal color as the leaf emerges from if your plant experienced cold damage from the windowsill.  A clear photo would be helpful.  (I just checked some of the plants that we have in our greenhouse, and the new growth is indeed brown.)

If you need further assistance, please write back as a follow-up.  Make sure to include the requested information so that I can help you determine an appropriate course of action.  For now, definitely make sure the temperature is warm during the day.  All of your plants will appreciate it!

Good growing!
Jacob Farin