I knew the shape on that prize winner was familiar, you are right that it does look like an ocotillo cactus. It's not the same as the ones that grow in the Palm Springs area though, the bloom was definitely not going to be the usual red. It sure looks like a relative though.
I too really liked the coloring and how shiny that Harlana aloe was, my last name in Harlan but even without that I thought it was really striking.
I've put my new ZZ plant up on the bedroom terrace, I have 2 terraces off my bedroom but the problem one for plants is the one before you enter the bedroom and it gets very little light and the cats tend to hang out there. The only thing I've been successful with in that area are 2 types of Dieffenbachia. The cats don't eat them and they don't seem to mind the lack of sun. I hope the ZZ will join them happily, but if not, I can move it to the other bedroom terrace which is more of a screen room. Lots of light there and some corners that don't get direct sun. So far the cats haven't nibbled on it, generally they leave things alone that are poisonous or bitter. They have almost completely eaten my poor begonia. I had to move it into the guest shower to get it away from them.
