Cherry juice: BAD idea - it would ferment very quickly.

Fishing float: Good idea - if it's as clean as the feeder.

We don't supply any feeders for humming birds and we get our fair share here. They LOVE purple flowers, one that comes to mind is obedient plant. I also think they went for our holly hocks but it might have been something else. They prefer trumpet shaped flowers.

You should change the feeder often whether it is low or not, every day when temperature is above 91. There are several posts here where recommended changing schedules are discussed.

The thing about hummers is that they can be using your feeder when you don't happen to be there. To see how much use you are getting, watch in the hour before dusk.

To be sure they "see" your feeder, some recommend a big red bow on it. Or plant one or several hummer favorites underneath it.

Finally, lots of hummers are more likely in mid summer, here in zone 6 around the beginning of July. In July, any new feeders I put up are discovered within a day or two, no matter where. So was the first one I ever put up, in August.

Good luck.

Part of the joy of having a garden is walking through it at least once a day! Check your feeder when you walk through your garden.
You may not be seeing birds at the feeder for several reasons, but they are still there..could be they're eating a lot of insects to feed their young, or a better nectar plant is in bloom...just be patient, and watch at dawn and dusk.

I saw my first humming bird of the season yesterday. I heard it's loud buzz before I spotted him.

I just saw my first one today - suspected they were around but no firm sighting up until now. It was in a small patch of salvia and at first, I thought it was some moth - I`d forgotten how tiny they really are. It was such a marvelous sight!!!!

shilla and littlemonkey, so glad for your first sighting. They are out there, but elusive. I'm watching for them every evening at dusk now. Nice sitting out on the deck, getting app 8 visits from app 7:45 to 8:35 pm. Otherwise, see them a couple of times during the day.

Shilla, yes, they are so tiny. You forget how really tiny tiny they are.

My sighting was right in the middle of the day. I was in the basement, heard a buzzing, looked out the window and there it was hanging out near some purple lupins. We've had such a long cold winter so it's nice to see them back.

I've been surprised at what attracts hummingbirds in my yard. Blueberries...they flower early and the birds were lapping them up. Dandelions...hummingbirds came and collected the seed tufts for nesting material. Catmint, which is pretty, flowers for months and grows easily. And of course, they love scarlet runner bean flowers and the tropical potted hibiscus I put outside for the summer. The hibiscus seems to be their favorite. I never saw a hummingbird when I lived in northern NJ, but they're here in southern NJ.

In Northeast PA they love Bee Balm. Ours is not blooming yet but my wife did see our hummingbird twice so far this year and both times it was at our feeder. It is a little clear glass one with the red bottom and place for about 4 hummingbirds to sit and sip. Nothing special but I guess our friend from last year is back and I can't wait to see him also. When the Minarda (Bee Balm) bloom he will be on those every day. Last year he even loved our 2 Rose of Sharon Bushes and was on those every day.