Peonies: Question about bare root peony, 4 by NoH2O

NoH2O wrote:
Don't feel bad, Donna. If these roots had looked okay, I would have planted them (well, except the one labeled Festiva Maxima) and waited until next year to make sure they were right. If they didn't bloom the first spring, I would have waited another spring. I hate to make a rush judgement and post a bad review of a vendor if it isn't justified.

Annette, the roots are firm and the outer shell of the crown is firm (although very thin), i.e. it isn't mushy or oozing anything; but the entire core of the crown is gone - it is just empty space. It hasn't formed a new crown. The partial shell of the old crown is there with 3 firm large roots attached. The multitude of eyes are on what remains of the shell of the old crown. The crown itself is 90% hollow.

Even if it grew in a pot, I would not be willing to chance putting it into the ground because there is no treatment for peony crown rot other than destroying the plant and never putting another peony in the same soil.