I have always assumed that variegation in its usual succulent form is due to a mutation, ie. a change in genetic information at some level. But a metastable one in most cases, prone to reversion or other changes, which maybe has to do with organelles or something. The chloroplast is one such organelle, green because of the chlorophyll inside, distributed unevenly within plant cells, with its own genetic information.
If that is true then chemically induced variegation is only possible if those chemicals effect genetic change, ie. alter information content inside the cell. And if that is the case you really don't want anything to do with those chemicals outside a controlled laboratory setting with lots of PPE and proper disposal afterwards.
Hormones as such may affect gene expression but they should not affect genetic information content, as I understand the situation.
In a former life I worked on a project to make somatic cell mutants on purpose (and then select for a specific phenotype totally unrelated to variegation) so I do have some reasonable knowledge of how such a process might work. The desired outcome is a tiny microscopic fraction of all the potential outcomes of mutagen treatment (including most prominently death) so proper numbers and a good selection process are really important.
