Nepenthes diatas: Ultra-Highland Challenges

Question: My N. diatas (since Nov) has no pitchers, leaves grow but tendrils blacken. Temps 60s–70s°F, humidity 50–70%, south window with filtered light. Move to lights?

Answer: N. diatas is ultra-highland (like N. rajah). Needs cool nights (50–55°F), high humidity, bright light. We got one pitcher using misters (5 min/2 hrs) in greenhouse; stopped when moved. Increase humidity to mimic daily evening rains. Light may need boosting—pitchers are intensely red, so more light won't hurt. This species is enigmatic; some are easy, others finicky.

Happy growing!

— Jacob Farin