Getting Christmas Cactus to bloom for next Christmas

Flowering is related to the length of light during the day and night temperatures. The temperature range for flower bud development is between 50-60°F for a period of at least six weeks. The plant will need at least 12 hours of total darkness each night for 8-10 weeks or until you start to see buds form. Usually a closet, basement or garage is a good location, and the plant can be covered with a dark sheet of cloth. For holiday blooms, this needs to be done in late September to mid-October.