Wow, bizarre. I guess it really is in the "triggers" as opposed to the seasons (or holidays, lol) - otherwise they wouldn't be able to get these plants to bloom early for sales, right?
Actually, I'm not too sure my plant is doing much more than hanging on, anyway - I think I let it get too dry or too hot (or too something) and the pads kind of shriveled, and no matter how I treat it, they just won't plump up again. It's a drag, it really does have such pretty blooms.