One shouldn't let the roots of LAs dry out when transplanting or shipping. Also the proper time for digging or transplanting LAs is in the fall, Sept. or Oct when they have gone dormant. The first time I tried sending LAs to my cousin n Kansas, I made two mistakes. I dug them too early, in July or August, which is fine for regular irises, but not for LAs. Secondly, though I wrapped the roots in wet paper towel, they still got too dried out.
So they did not survive. The next fall I tried again, digging them at the proper time, and encased the roots in baggies filled with hydrated water beads from Miracle Gro. That worked and I also instructed my cousin to work those water beads into the surrounding soil where he would be planting them, to help compensate for Kansas' dryer climate. They are thriving! As of this spring they have formed a huge, healthy clump which should be sending up scads of bloom stalks.
