by the way i have no idea how to raise them, please share some advice. one idea i've heard about you don't need to water them for a long period.
It depends on your climate, the soil and what you mean with "a long period", so the question should be answered by someone living closer to you. A 2 week interval in summer and no water in autumn/winter could be a starting point. Melocactus are sensitive to cold, keep it at a minimum of about 15 °C.
i see you have saucers under the pots. Is that to catch drops of water? It is fairly wet here at sea level, and often cloudy. Here's a trick I use (and I live close to you): 1) Wait until the dirt has pulled away from the pot a little bit so you know it is THOROUGHLY dry. 2) Fill a large juice jug with water 24 hours before watering. Leave out to a) reach room temp & b) let the chlorine & other treatments evaporate. Vancouver water rocks for humans, meh for cacti. 3)put plant outside in a laundry basket or carry to the bath tub. 4) Positively DRENCH the dirt in your pots ~ not the plants, the dirt. Let all the water run out the bottom of the pots. In this definition, you cannot over water. 5) After 20, 30 minutes, remove plants from watering place, do not let them stand in the water any longer than that. 6) Put back and enjoy! 7) Wait 3 weeks, or until dirt pulls away from the pot, and repeat. I think it is an important tip to share: I found it hard to fight the temptation to water more often. Fight Hard, sister! If you are not going to drench, do not water at all. the plants can handle it. This is where over-watering becomes the #1 cacti killer. And don't let your bone-head boyfriend convince you you aren't watering enough, like mine did, lol! I have both of these plants... here's a link another forum member found for me on the monstrose: http://www.cactusmuseum.com/photo.asp?PlantID=9&Genus= this is a great site, I use it often. Good luck!
