Description

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Bonsai trees have a reputation for being difficult to care for, but after learning just what they need, it's all pretty straightforward from there. Bonsai trees are dwarfed versions of full trees, as they obviously can't reach their full size while growing in a container, but make for beautiful additions to your home. They're also rather rewarding to care for, as you can literally see the fruits of your labor as the tree grows and blooms.
In Japanese, "bonsai" means "planted in a container." This refers to the practice of keeping the tree small due to the fact that it's growing in a small planter. The tree itself isn't actually a dwarf, it's just not growing to full-size because of the limitations of its container. The precise pruning of the tree also leads to its small appearance, and it also "trains" the tree to remain small.
As long as you do your best to recreate the tree's natural growing conditions at home, you should be able to keep it alive and watch it thrive. Some species of bonsai need different care than others, though, so be sure to be aware of what type of tree you have before jumping in with a certain care plan.