Asian pitcher plants are essentially equatorial, meaning they need roughly 12 hour photoperiods. Mine are at a window sill and they stop pitchering from mid-November until about now. When the photoperiod increases enough to their liking, they will resume pitchering.

OK. That would make sense why it hasn't pitchered during the past 5 months. however, it doesnt explain why it didn't pitcher from mid-august to early november when the photoperiods were roughly 12 hours long. what could be the problem here??

If you just got it, it may have been stressed enough (shipping shock or neglect)to refrain from pitchering. Neps can "pout" for several weeks before feeling comfortable again.

I would put it under a porch first, for awhile and aclimate it to full sunshine. I learned that the hard way!

thanks petiolaris and tom! help much appreciated. any further input from anyone still welcome :)

Why are the "pods?" turning black?

The pitchers don't last forever. Just clip them off at the leaf tips.

To increase humidity you could also place it a tray full of pea gravel & add water.