Bates Sons & Daughters

first generation caladium pioneers

Founded

1950

Evidence class

publicly verified operating

Place

Lake Placid, Highlands County

District

The Ridge

Geography scope

six county core

Status as of 12 September 2026

Operating; Dot and Terri Bates remain named partners of the UF/IFAS breeding program.

Connections

3 edges, 3 distinct neighbors · betweenness 0.015 (rank 69 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.007 (rank 53) · outside endpoint share 0.33

Confidence

High · sources: [CALH] [YSPIO] [MAC] [CFAN3] (register)

Emmett and Mildred Bates are recognized among the pioneer families as commercial caladium cultivation begins at Lake Placid in the 1950s; Dot Bates co organizes the first Caladium Festival in 1990 and the family names new UF cultivars [YSPIO][CALH][MAC].

Connections

Location and lineage

• holdsDot Batesa principal of the family firmto present
• tied venture or seatLake Placidfirst generation caladium pioneers1950s to present

Collaboration

• collaborationUF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Centerthe growers name the new UF cultivars Salsa and Wonderland2020s