Forum:Lonefire Blossom Question

Lonefire blossoms effects states that by tributing one face up plant type monster that you can then special summon a Plant type monster from your Deck.Lonefire blossom itself is a plant type monster,can i tribute itself to activate its effect?Also my friend argues that if i can tribute lonefire blossom itself that he should then be able to tribute Hands of the 6 samurai to activate its effect.He also states that in order for the effect to take effect it has to have a valid target,Meaning that in order for lonefire blossom's effect to werk i have to have another plant on the field and in order for hands to work he has to have another six samurai on the field.I argue that different decks werk different ways.Please help me solve my problem.