b,

From what I understand of them, short daylight hours prompt buds, so yours is on schedule. I wouldn't subject it to temps much below 60F; otherwise the buds may abort.

Could you post a pic? It may matter what kind of cactus it is (since there are many kinds) & they don't all get the same kind of care.

We at least need to know if it's a jungle or arid cactus as they take VERY different care (we can tell that from a pic).

Here are a couple of pictures I just took.{{gwi:677462}}

{{gwi:677464}}

The OP mentioned it as an EC or TC both are tropical cacti.

Your Thanksgiving cacti has nice coloring on the top segments, buds appear to be big enough to bring it in.

You could leave it out if you wanted. As caution at this point 60 F temps are good. Don't push lower than 50 F night time temps as the buds could abort.

I agree, I would bring it in that way it can adjust while the buds are smaller..I'm a little south of you in Va and i brought mine in a couple weeks ago. have 6 more diff T plants almost ready to start opening
cliff

Short days, cool nights and slightly pot bound will promote buds and flowers. An abrupt change to warmer temperatures will cause buds to drop.

Hi...very nice plants, I leave mine outside until it is going to freeze and then I bring them in...that was about 3 weeks ago here in MN....my CC is still out in my garage I won't bring that one in until its going to freeze inside the garage.....yes the tc's are budding more then ever before, this is my red tc..look at all the buds....linda

Hi again...heres a picture of all my tcs'.....
I call it my holiday pole.....lol......lida

Linda

Whats your secret? They all look gorgeous and kind of upright, very green. mine are pale pink and droopy;(

Inna

Short days, cool nights and slightly pot bound will promote buds and flowers

True and thanks for the colder temps to warmer temps info. By chance if your cacti should show buds around mid May to flower again dont move it from where it is during the possible May bud to end of flowering times.

To confuse some of us even more we take notes that the sun light time would be increasing as temps are warming in May.

Now that mine is brought in to a warmer room...what does one do about watering when they are budding? Too much water may make the buds drop, too little ...ditto.?

Hi..no secret here...only if neglect is it...
I just put them all out on the north side of the house and at times forget them and the storms blow them arround and I bring them in late fall before the freeze....actually I do what everyone here suggest...and all my plants have been doing lots better....linda

No Boothbay,

Watering them is fine, especially while setting buds, they need to be watered. I don't believe too much or too little water affects buds; it's moving them while the buds are too young that causes buds to blast (or maybe too big a change in temp too).