Christmas cactus is starting to get a bud.?

Okay, so I have asked a few questions on here about getting my christmas cactus to bloom. Well, I had it outside this summer as our summers are nice and I put it in the shade. The plant was growing like crazy, little pink leaves were sprouting but still no flower. So, I heard about putting it in total darkness and I did, I put it in the closet. Well I had it in there about a week and I checked AND I have a bloom. It hasn't opened yet, but my question was should I start watering it now or putting it out of the shade? Or just leave it? I can't wait to see it!!!

Christmas cactus is starting to get a bud.?
The secret to getting Christmas Cactus to bloom is uninterrupted night periods of about 12 hours. If its in a room that gets the lights turned on and off during the evening, you'll disrupt the flowering process. It blooms better if you have good intensity light during the day hours (grow light or good sunny location.)





Purdue extension has a good guide on Christmas Cactus. I have posted it below. Have fun and good luck!
Reply:To promote blooms place Christmas cacti in locations ranging between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, in order to bloom, they need several hours per day of complete darkness beginning around the middle of October. While the buds are developing, the Christmas cactus should be placed in a location that receives filtered light. At this point, it should not be moved. Moving the plant would encourage blooms that are not facing the light to turn. This could weaken the buds and cause them to drop off.








After blooming prune your Christmas cactus to remove a few sections either by pinching or by cutting them off with a well-sharpened knife. Doing so will promote branching and new growth.








Proper watering is important to the successful growth of the Christmas cactus. To encourage buds to form, less water should be given in late spring. After the Christmas cactus has formed blooms, it will require regular watering. Even though the Christmas cactus is considered a succulent plant, it does not tolerate drought conditions very well. The best way to decide if the plant needs water is by feeling the soil.
Reply:Now you start putting it in indirect, but fairly bright light. Water just enough to moisten it, and let it dry out in between waterings. While it is blooming, it needs a bit more water than when dormant. Never put it in direct bright sun. A cooler room is preferable to a hot, dry one.
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