I'm looking to get some rooted cuttings or small plant to attract hummingbirds. Have lots of fresh Hibiscus seeds (white flower-red at the center) to trade or I can pay for postage. Thank you. Natalia

It isn't up to us to decide who's "unwitting" and who isn't. I refuse to assume that others are ignorant and treat them like children, telling them what's good for them and what isn't. If someone is here on GardenWeb then they have an internet connection, which also gives easy access to Google searches. And PlantsDatabase. And Invasives.org. I somewhat resent being told to "educate" myself about invasives. I know all about invasives, thank you very much. And the ones I don't know about specifically, I know how to research -- as do other "unwitting" gardeners. I know that what is invasive in some places isn't in others. Granted, there are plants that have proven to be a problem nearly everywhere, but many of the plants that make some people hide under the bed out of sheer terror will languish, or fail completely in other areas. "Invasive exotics" can be grown in ways that limit growth: containers to prevent root spread, flowers deadheaded before seeding -- heck, most could probably be grown indoors! And let's not get all xenophobic in our outlook; you don't need exotics to destroy an ecosystem. Even North American native plants can wreak havoc in other areas in North America. If you really want to be thorough in your warning, then maybe you should have added the breathless plea to not trade with people across the rockies, or from dry areas to moist areas, or from crowded forest areas to the Midwest plains.

They are very hardy once you get them going. I like to get them planted in the ground as soon as possible after they root even if the location is temporary. I find the survival rate is much better than if I keep them in pots. If the plants are still very small and the root systems not well developed, plant pot and all in the ground, mulch well and cover with a gallon nusery pot when it goes dormant for winter. (I have to put a brick on top of the pot to keep it from blowing away) You probably get more winter weather than I do, so your plant is likely to go completely dormant in winter. Snow will actually insulate your pot and plant. I may try a few cuttings and will post here when I have some if you think you might like to give it a try. Frances.

James, I would use tweezers. If you don't have any, then get you some from Miles2Go. He is offering real good and cheap ones in different sizes. Jordi