Why do the buds on my christmas cactus just dry up and don't turn into flowers?

Question

My christmas cactus always used to flower well,but this time the buds have started growing and then seem to have dried up.

Answer 1

Mine did that this past December. They are short-day plants, and turning on a light at night can interrupt the cycle and make buds drop. I moved it to another room, one I don't use as often, so it's in darkness from sunset to sunrise. Now it is covered in new buds.

This may not be what's happening to your plant, but it is one possibility.

Answer 2

I don't know what area you live in, but if your heater has been running a lot, or if the plant is in a new area of the home, could it be either too much water (or not enough), or possibly a lack or humidity? It seems the plant is healthy enough to produce buds, it should be an outside influence preventing them from opening.