Started it from two cuttings at age 17 in Michigan.

Now it has over 150 flower buds. What a showman! A "Thanksgiving" type Christmas cactus, it blooms from November to April.

How to make a Christmas Cactus bloom

In October, give it no water. Deprive it of extra light after the sun goes down. In October after dark, I read books in the bedroom instead of the living room.

"Christmas cactus grow in the crotches of trees, high under the South American rain forest canopy," a botanist said. "When you deprive it of water and extra light, it's thinks it's dying. It throws out flowers to make seeds and propagate the species."

On November 1, start giving it water, increasing as flower buds appear. Fertilize once with half-strength Miracle Grow. Flower buds need water to plump up. So, water it deeply once a week.