The relocation of a seed orchard from Krzyżanowice Średnie to Umianowice.

In accordance with the activities of the LIFE4DELTA project, it was possible to establish a new quarter for the cultivation of xerothermic plants characteristic of the Ponidzie region, in the first week of November. It was placed near the newly established Nature Education Center in Umianowice. Xerothermic grasslands are thermophilous grass communities of a steppe nature, the occurrence of which depends on appropriate climatic and soil conditions. They are characterized by a rich and diverse flora, often with the participation of rare and protected species. They develop on shallow pararendzinas, rendzinas, loess and chernozems soils on a dry substrate with an alkaline or neutral reaction, rich in calcium carbonate. Since the pH of the soil in the place designated for the plantation was not as required, it was necessary to create such conditions that the xerothermic plants could grow and develop. Therefore, almost 100 tonnes of already pH-appropriate soil was brought in and formed into a southeast-sloping, 60 to 120 cm high hill. The land needed was obtained under an agreement with RIGIPS Stawiany. The prepared embankment is to imitate the vast, steep slopes of Garb Pińczowski on which such grasslands occur and for which it is famous. At the moment, species have been replanted from the existing, but decommissioned due to the change of location, plantation in Krzyżanowice Średnie and established under the previous LIFE project entitled “Protection of valuable natural habitats in Ponidzie”. Transplanted species include: dwarf cherry ( Cerasus fruticosa ), fraxinella ( Dictamnus albus ), carline thistle (Carlina onopordifolia), Plumeless saw-wort (Serratula lycopifolia),downy flax ( Linum hirsutum ), Dorycnium germanicum and Stipa joannis. Next year, it is also planned to plant golden flax ( Linum flavum ), which, apart from dorycnium, carline thistles and Plumeless saw-wort, is also included in the LIFE4DELTA project. Seedlings of the above plants will be planted as needed, with material from our own gene pool.