N. gracilis is a lowland plant and temps even around 95 will do it no harm,
but it will require frequent watering. Pitchering will require moderately
high light and high humidity. Certain forms of gracilis can be difficult to
pitcher, specificly one of the clones W.I.P. offered years ago. Those from
Borneo have proven easy.
All Nepenthes go through a cycle of lower leaves and pitchers dying off as
new growth and elongation of the stems takes place. The lower section of the
stems becomes woody and takes on the color of the dead leaves. This should
not be a cause for alarm. Frequently basal shoots will be produced at (or
even below) soil level around these old stems. Once these basal shoots have
produced three or four healthy good sized leaves the old stems can be removed
if desired, either for cuttings or to improve the appearance of the plant.
The basal shoots will then go through the same cycle. N. x trichocarpa
(presumed natural hybrid of ampullaria and gracilis) should be almost
weedlike under good conditions and can be cut back frequently to induce new
basal shoots and lower pitchers.
Cliff