14" for a canna is about minimum for good growth. The million bells should be fine, but there really is no 'middle layer' to plant in. Cannas grow underground during the season and will likely fill that 14" diameter to the near breaking point with tubers. Cannas are water loving plants and if you had plants die last year from the sun/heat the cannas aren't likely to do well unless you water all the time and keep the mix wet. Cannas can take the heat, but not dry conditions. Cannas are often sold as 'marginal' plants which simply means they grow on the margins of water bodies where they aren't usually submerged in water, but the soil they grown in is saturated with water. A tall, deep container like you describe is not at all optimal as the water will likely accumulate below root level for cannas.

Hi Westender, Sowing the seed will produce seedlings, but not always true to the parent plant, you might even get some nice variations :) See link below for growing fuchsias from seed - Kath :) Here is a link that might be useful: http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/fuchsia/2003024328011174.html

Who's Kathleen? For me practicality includes efficiency. Since cuttings in water need to be potted up once rooted that is one extra process, so my personal view is to go straight to a pot. But - as I said - it is entirely up to the individual.

Gary, It sounds more like you have a "regular" fuchsia, which doesn't like sun or heat, really. They only last a couple of months for me. The Gartenmeister variety has a different shaped flower...with a "star" on the end of the tubular part, instead of a "ballerina skirt," and it is designed for heat and sun. Of course, in Zone 10, it still might not make it. I've never seen Gartenmeister in any color but orange-red, though that doesn't mean it isn't available in other colors. Just never saw it being sold here in purple or pink, etc. If you DO have a purple Gartenmeister, I'd love to see a picture. And I'm gonna want one, too! Mine will last about nine months or so before getting a bit straggly, straight through the summer and well into fall. And I'm pretty sure I can cut it back and rejuvenate it for the following year, but I've been too lazy to mess with it. This year, I'm going to try. I read on Dave's Garden where some people kept it going for years and years. Worth a shot! Marcia