What happens is, you put it in the closet and forget about it. Then it's a kaput Christmas cactus. Instead, set it in a cool window in the attic or a spare bedroom, for example where lights are not turned on at night. Cut back on the water. Short days and long nights stimulate the plant to set buds.
Flower buds start to form in about six weeks.
Bring the cactus out, put it in a sunny spot and start watering again. However, as dark as most houses are, you'd do better to set it near a bright window. It also enjoys a vacation outdoors in the summer. E-mail this story to a friend. All rights reserved.