Tip or lateral cuttings root about the same if you have healthy material that
shows no yellowing of leaves, or woody stems. Two to three node cuttings for
laterals, 4 for tip. Pitchers can be left on cuttings if put under mist as
they may help in water regulation in the cuttings. Truly woody cuttings can
be very difficult to root.
I used to use a solution of IBA (indo-buteric acid) 200 ppm, I think) but have
not used any in a while and it seems to make little difference, though it
will help on the woodier cuttings.
Taking cuttings from plants producing upper pitchers will usually result in
new plants with same. There is a way that seems to work to force plants (not
cuttings) to revert to lowers. If you drop the climbing stem with upper
pitchers down below the soil level of the pot, very frequently this will
cause new basal rosettes to form at the soil level. This seems to be some
gravitationally controlled hormone responce, but I am not a plant physiologist
so I am not sure. (Thank's to Ron Determann for this observation!)
I would not risk stressing the plant to produce lower pitchers, it may reward
your efforts by dying instead! It is true that some plants are difficult to
induce lower pitchers, but with age and patience eventually most will.
Cliff