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→Two Approaches to Starters
Although more experiments are probably needed, agitation is believed to be an important factor for any species of microbe (yeast and bacteria). Gentle stirring on a stir plate or orbital shaker, or frequent gentle manual agitation leads to faster growth and a higher number of organisms. Agitation keeps the microbes in solution. It also maximizes the microbes' access to nutrients and disperses waste evenly. In a non-agitated starter, the microbes are limited to the diffusion rate of nutrients, leading to a slower and more stressful growth <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1168024059892473/?comment_id=1174865305875015&reply_comment_id=1176092372418975&total_comments=1&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D Conversation with Bryan of Sui Generis Blog about starters and agitation. 11/09/2015.]</ref>.
Maintaining a temperature of 77°-86°F/25°-30°C results in faster growth than lower temperatures and is recommended <ref name="Trent_Preiss_Brett_Starters">[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1334091429952401/?comment_id=1334157506612460&reply_comment_id=1334686406559570&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R0%22%7D Conversation with Mark Trent and Richard Preiss on optimal temperatures for Brett starters on MTF. 06/21/2016.]</ref>. ''Brettanomyces'' cell growth typically takes about 7-8 days to reach it's maximum growth <ref name="Yakobson_Propagation"></ref>, however some strains may grow at faster rates and finish in 3-4 days <ref>[[Brettanomyces_Propagation_Experiment]]</ref><ref name="Smith_2018" />. When the starter turns a rich creamy color, it should be done within a few hours after this visual indication occurs <ref name="Trent_Preiss_Brett_Starters"></ref>. Each step of a starter for Brett should be 7-8 days (or 3-4 days for faster growing strains).
For more information regarding aeration and agitation effects on ''Brettanomyces'' growth, see [[Brettanomyces_Propagation_Experiment|Mark Trent's Brettanomyces Propagation Experiment]].