Don't mist them, they don't get that in the desert where they grow, let nature give you the clues on how to grow them. In the wild I've seen them survive winter show, on the way to Las Vegas. Heavly water once, when newly transplanted if they have roots, only once in April, them let them be. Mine got less than 4" or rain this past season, I didn't supplement any water. They will flower when it's their time, Probably in July-Sept. when its hot, or after then drop their leaves, then in early spring after the snow melts. I didn't write it down didn't record flowering time. Norma

well,im not worried about the flowers yet,my ocotillo still looks like twigs,I want some green on this thing,where are the leaves,and when are they comming.

You really have to have patience with an ocotillo, especially if you planted it as a bare root plant. Do not expect leaves right away, it can take months and up to a year for it to establish and leaf out. Follow Norma's advice, let nature take its course and the plant will reward you eventually.

Is there a sure fire way to tell if it is still alive? I bought one of these big box specials (bare root) as well, since all the potted ones I found were in huge heavy pots and very expensive. I figured for $40 at the big box I had little to lose.

I also paid $40.00 for mine, this was a gift to my DH.
Don't keep misting it. You may rot the plant. Leave it alone. If you want to see if is is still alive, scrape the bark/stem with a knife if you see some green stem it's alive. Do you see any little tiny leaf- buds coming out where the spins show? When it is rooted these will start to show, then water. It must get roots before watering. Norma