The information in this article is what I learned from long time avid collectors of Commelinaceae family. They are people who spent their time observing and learning about the plants' growth.
What is the difference between a Tradescantia 'Nanouk' and a Tradescantia 'Lilac'?
Tradescantia 'nanouk’ and blossfeldiana (cerinthoides) variegata ‘lilac are the same plant variety.
Tradescantia Blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata ‘Lilac’
Tradescantia Blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata ‘Lilac’ (smooth form) is a plant that shows normal growth. Athena Brazil, the original breeder of the plant named this variety ‘Lilac’ and/or ‘Bubblegum’.
Tradescantia Blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata ‘Lilac’
Tradescantia ‘Nanouk’ is a PGR treated plant. It shows compact foliage growth and rounded leaves. This feature is not stable and are caused by a PGR (plant growth hormone) given to this plant. However, it's variegation, given the right living condition is natural and is not a result of hormones.
Tradescantia ‘Nanouk’
The hormone given to the plant will eventually wear off, approximately about two months time. You’ll notice that the plants’ appearance will look the same as lilac once the pgr wears off. The spaces between each node will be farther apart making it look 'leggy', the leaves becomes elliptical, and it will have the same bloom as ‘Lilac’.
Tradescantia Blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata ‘Lilac’
Your ‘Nanouk’ plant will now exhibit all features of the ‘Lilac’, which is the original form of the plant in the first place.
With this evidence proven by almost everyone who owns this plant, we can all agree that it's NOT a new cultivar as claimed by the patent owner Dunnem Orange.
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