Good reminder.

Linnea!

I feel like a goof. I was looking up shipping comments and noticed all these nice welcomes from weeks ago. Thank you all for being such nice folks to hang out with.

You are welcome, Linnea. Thank you for your own nice self.

I agree. And for your perspective and knowledge you impart to us. Thank you.

Later this week I plan to ship a clump of Siberian irises to a friend. This will be my first time shipping a SIB, and am looking for advice. I couldn't find much info online and have never ordered an SIB. I know the roots cannot dry out, but any tips? What medium do you wrap the roots in?... Sphagnum?... paper towels? I know to place the wet roots in a plastic bag, but one layer of bag?... double bag? How do you seal the plastic bag?... rubberband around the foliage?... tape?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Scott, a lot of the vendors use a gelled water, not sure what it is called but is a bit like beads of jello. For those that don't have such fancy stuff then paper towels/newspaper works. Wet the towels quite thoroughly, then wrap around the roots of the Sibs, put the very wet wrapped roots in a plastic bag and rubberband it closed around the stems. Leave the tops dry. Pack as always and ship. I have gotten LA's, Sibs and JI's this way and they have all arrived just fine. Let whoever is getting them know to soak the roots in a pail of water a couple hours before planting. Happy shipping!

They say if you get the little jelled water beads (what ever they are called) that you should plant them right with the Sibs.

Leslie, Perfect. Thanks so much for the information! I know the gel beads you're describing. Good to know if I ever decide to ship lots of Siberians. They're such a PITA to divide, though! I don't know how the SIB vendors do it. Maybe I should have watched a YouTube video!