Smallest size of an overnight culture?

[weenold]

This may seem like a silly question, but is there a lower limit on the volume of an overnight culture? If I only grow my cells in say 1ml, will they reach stationary phase earlier and then be in the wrong stage of growth when I come to use them the next day? Is there an optimum volume, and does it depend on the strain/media? Or do the bacteria grow according to the total amount of nutrients available? Any comments would be appreciated!

[JackBean]

Of course they grow in accordance to available nutrients AND number of cells

We have usually grown few ml ovenigth cultures (like 3-5 ml), you just should add less bacteria from your stock

[canalon]

The optimal volume is whatever you need. Overnight culture generally end up in the stationary phase. You use them when you want a lot of cells, and do not specifically care in what stage, otherwise you would grow them until you reach the desired stage that you need (measuring OD regularly for example).

And with a doubling time of 20-30 minutes, the amount of stock will not significantly alter the amount of bacteria at the end of the night.