Dilution plating incubation time - (Jan/20/2016 )

In all the dilution plating protocols I find online, they said to incubate the plates with diluted samples for 24 - 48 hours. Why so long? When I plate a culture, I get single colonies in 12 - 16 hours. Is there a biochemical reason for such a long incubation time? Can I just do 12 - 16 hours?

Wouldn't your plates overgrow and your colonies mix if you incubated them 24-48 hours? Do you really have any option?

It probably depends on the growth rate of the strain used.

This time depends on the time strain needed to grow. Protocol could be use for most situation, but  you may adjust according to the specific circumstances.