Help Bonsai tree problem

My bonsai has lost all its leaves suddenly, turned brown,curled and withered. I did a bit of research on the internet. The only reason I found characteristic with the above symptoms was high potassium level. I cannot understand how this happened because I am aware the bonsai can be a 'sensitive' plant to grow and I had followed all the guidelines in relation to growing bonsai.
Can anyone help, your advice would be greatly appreciated, I have the bonsai for about four years and would be very disappointed if it died on me....

 

Hello Lenny, and welcome to GC.

Now Bonsai are something slightly close to my heart as I have been 'doing them' for 15 or more years now.

Your problem after four years almost ... I say almost ... sounds like neglect perhaps .. but only perhaps. You may have a mite.

I would like to know ...

1) What type tree it is?
2) The location of this tree?
3) Has anything changed this past year?

You mention there is perhaps a problem could be high potassium levels. When my trees lived in the UK in Bucks and the IoW they lived outdoors permanently, rain, snow, shine .... they never got any food. Then they travelled for three years to Portugal and back to the IoW (they are like my pets) and never got any special treatment or food. Since 2004 they have lived permanently in Portugal ... outdoors but in an outdoor living room if that makes sense ... it's quite open to the elements if we wish it to be. They still get no special treatment except here I have to water them up to twice a day in the summer and I do use bottled water as my mains water is much to be desired.

When I do a new one from scratch as I am doing now with Paladin's little Hawthorne, I use a mix of half and half compost and sand. I must admit I have never fed mine until last month and heaven only knows why I have decided to do that and I am watching them like a hawk .....

There are several threads up here regarding them ...

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/help-needed-with-bonsai-t5230.html?t=5230&highlight=Bonsai

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/bonsai-t5239.html?t=5239&highlight=Bonsai

I am not an expert on Bonsai but I have a lot of years and knowledge with them so, if you would like to ask any further questions, please do so.

Enjoy the forum!