Lynn, A lot depends on why they are getting crispy. I assume that you are seeing lots of the outer leaves dry up without any rot. Some types may actually try to close up in a ball.
A picture or two would be very helpful, so keep in mind this advice is for the problem where they are drying up due to too little water and that we are not dealing with a rot problem from too much heat.
Regarding the root system, if the plants are at least 30 days in the ground where you have them, then it is likely that they have grown roots already. You can check this sometime by taking a new, unrooted plant and just not planting it. You will see it send out fine roots, reaching for the ground, usually in about 2 weeks. So your plants should have roots but they will be small and maybe not too noticeable.
So back to why they are getting crispy.... What is there situation? Are they in sun or shade? If in sun, then you need to shade them or water more often, with shade being the preferred option. But if they are truly drying up, then you should be able to water more often without major problems. If you are not able to water more often, then shade.
I want to also mention that this is one of the great advantages to using pots with the Hen & Chicks. Because the plants are small and do well in pots, you can easily move them. Want to plant in a display bed somewhere? You could always sink the pot into the ground yet preserve the option of pulling the pot out and moving to another location if problems arise.
While it is usually not a good thing to transplant a stressed plant, you sometimes need to make that decision. If the plants are not going to survive in their current location and you can't fix the problem there, then transplanting is a must. Fortunately sempervivum transplant well. Just try to move some of the dirt with the roots of the plant, if you can, to a new location or pot to minimize recovery time. This is more important at the end of the growing season than the beginning, but also remember that the semps will be growing again as the temps cool a bit. I'm already seeing mine perk up now that the days are getting shorter. I routinely transplant most of the year, as time and needs dictate.
One further strategy might be helpful. I will usually try to divide any variety as soon as reasonably possible and grow each division in different locations. That way, you are "testing" for the best (should say "better" here) conditions for that variety. You'd be surprised at how much that can make a difference. You may want to move some of each type of the affected plants to an alternate location/situation.
Please let us know what you do and how it works out.
