I'm in Tampa and I have all my epies and holiday cacti hanging in the shade on the north side of my house. They all get hit with some dappled sunlight now and then. The epies can take some cold nights, but not frost. My collection of these is relatively new, and most started just as cuttings, but all seem to be doing ok, though most are still to small to bloom. My holiday's bloom on schedule. Hope that helps,
Lori

I am new to central Florida, so my Christmas cactus is still acclimating. I inherited it from my mother over 20 years ago. It spent most of that time in Washington state in front of a West facing window. It bloomed twice a year - Christmas and Easter. It has been in Arkansas for the last 2 years in front of a North facing window. It bloomed once a year near Easter. I have no idea what its going to do here. It does not like full sun. I nearly killed it in Washington when we painted the house and had it on the deck for a day. Blooming appears to be triggered by day length changes. I'm not sure what it would do in the rare cold here. Mine is getting a bit big to be moving in and out. Doorways are getting tight for it.

Here is a link that might be useful:

It needs to be protected from freezing weather. I have mine on the back porch were it gets late afternoon sun. I bring it in side when it is going to freeze.

I am also 9B and I have my orchid cactus in a big pot on the north side of the house where it only gets a bit of direct sun towards the end of the day. I do drag it and my thanksgiving cactus inside when it actually freezes otherwise they stay outside in bright light but barely any direct sun. I bring the thanksgiving cactus in also during it's bloom time so I can enjoy it more.

I have my Easter, Christmas and Thanksgicing cacti outside where they receive indirect morning sun some afternoon sun and then they are shaded in the later afternoon. I have a little nicro climate in the front L shape portion of my house and it is easy to cover and control the climate with lights and plastic when it gets below freexing. I water and fertilizw when I have time and they are all growing and one has buds as I type. It is a white Thanksgiving cacti with a beautiful golden throat. My others are happy and it appears my true Christmas cactus is budding. I do nothing special other than to leave them alone the majority of the time. I am enclosing a link that will assist you with cultivation, and differentiation between the three and other tips. I live in Orlando behind Sea World so that makes it the south west side. Hope this helps and I would love a cutting of yours inulover. Linda

Here is a link that might be useful: Cacti

My patio is in almost total shade, and I don't really have a bright window, all my windows are in shade as well. I can't put up plastic on the patio, so that's out. I guess I will simply have to try to bring them in and see how they do. They were so beautiful last year. I'm getting very discouraged with this shady abode. I don't see myself staying here more than a year. I need more room, and more sun.

From what I understand for the people that grow them up North
(you can check the Cactus and Succulent forum as well)...they leave them outside till the first frost warning and they bring them inside. After a few weeks I've read they bloom inside the house. Since I live in Central FL as well...I leave mine in my open but shaded entry way...its gets very bright light. I only bring them inside if the temps are suppose to be below 35 degrees and mine blooms every year.

Here is a link that might be useful: Re-blooming Crhistmas/Thanksgiving Cactus