I'm not specifically talking about a ph buffer let me explain ...coco is a naural fiber that acts like a peat fiber in the way that it binds and releases nutrients, but also like an inert substrate such as Rockwool in the way that it holds water however the characteristics of coco are very different then peat which makes it a very unique product. Coco substrate can act as a buffer to store nutrient and water for the plants.Buffering can work in several ways there are water buffers, pH buffers, nutrient buffers, and the unique coco buffer. So let's start with the water buffer rockwool can hold about 92% of its volume in water this water supply is there for the plant when it needs it and it's called a waterbuffer. Coco can act as a water buffer as well although it can only hold about 66% of its volume in water. Then we have the PH buffer . Potting mix that's made from acidic peat . And because of this acidity,lime is added to bring it to the right pH value. If u water the plant with a nutrient solution with a higher or lower pH the lime buffer Wil neutralize the pH value, at least until the lime in the peat runs out.Potting mixes are usually more forgiving for mistakes. Coco is neutral to its pH value and will not neutralize the pH value of the nutrient solution. This means the pH values are easier to control or pinpoint in coco but is not as forgiving as potting mixes. Then we have the nutrient buffers substrates containing peat or mineral soil combine nutrients to the fibers or partials using "charged" sites known as cation exchange sites. The nutrients can later be released into the solution around the fibers in the soil. Coco has similar spaces around its fibers but these are all ready filled with the potassium and sodium. This sodium and excess potassium needs to be removed by washing the cocos thoroughly with clean low ec water this treatment should be done by the supplier making coco substrates from coco fibers. Last but not least we have the coco buffer, as mentioned coco fibers also hold potassium. This needs to be removed by adding calcium and magnesium. If this does not happen or if the buffer is washed away from flushing the substrate with low ec water, the substrate will draw calcium and magnesium out the nutrient solution. But still although the coco is buffered it still has a chance of binding some calcium and magnesium and then releasing potassium. . That was the buffer I was speaking of not the pH buffer
happy growing to you to, friend
im sure canna wants you to discard it ..... job security and all...... its going to leech nutrients regardless of what its flushed with