How long will a bacteria culture survive in an agar plate kept at room temperature?

Question

To be specific, I'm looking to grow a culture of Vibrio fischeri, which is a bioluminescent species. Also, does lighting affect how long or how well they grow?

Answer 1

depends on their consumption/reproduction rate.  If the bacteria outgrows its environment, they will consume more than is available...and eventually starve to death.  Since some bacteria reproduce slower than others, they will live longer...

Answer 2

Yes lighting affects their growth. It depends on the availability of the agar medium.

Answer 3

Vibrio fischeri grows better at lower temperature, about 16 C. At room temperature, it is not growing fast. It may survive a couple of weeks. If you simply want to keep longer, put the agar plate in a refrigerator.