Doug,

My Starking Hardy Giant has been 12 yrs old. So far no stony pit virus. It produced a lot of large sweet pear at the end of September. I will keep an eye on it. No problem here.

Tony

Here is a link that might be useful: Stony pit virus

oh oh... I've just placed an order for 3 Asian pears at Stark Bros. Are they going to be infected with the virus? When did you purchase your pears, and when did you first notice the virus? I wonder if I'll need to cancel my order...

Bluema,

I don't think you going to have any problem. Mine Hardy Giant Asian pear is doing just fine. I have so much fruits and have to give bunch to family member in late September. In addition, the Honey Sweet have no problem with any disease.

Tony

Thanks for the post Tony, but it seems you've purchased your trees a long time ago? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I guess I'm more concerned about the newer root stocks being sold at Stark Bros.

I was hoping that there is a cure. My Asian pear Hosui is a least 7 yrs old. I purchased mine from Stark Bros. Last couple of years we started noticing deformed pears, but this year all pears are infected with this virus and they are hard as rock. I am saddened to hear that there is no cure and the tree needs to be cut down.

It likely isn't their rootstock that's infected. It's the mother tree from which they collect budwood to graft onto the rootstock. They might well have corrected the situation by now.