my current dreads are only 6 months old, but my last set were 3.5 years when I cut em...and they were awesome! practically no work at all! (and I have naturally dead-straight hair!) I'd wash em, give em a bitta palm rolling and separate the roots after they dried, and that was it...and they were stunning! :D I also found because the lengths had really locked-up so well, the roots just kinda dreaded themselves! I guess I had them trained well...beat them into submission heheh ;-)

I hit my 2 yr mark this past April and boy what a long, strange trip its been but well worth it! Growth spurt for sure happen for me.....I use conditioner now.....which softens them up as well as making my scalp happy too! i have recently moved from my Hair goddess and sadden, but now learning to make my hair cute with the knowledge she has given me the past two yrs.....having fun with styles........the longer I have my dreads, the easier they are to maintain......i get warm easy and concern with them keep me warm this summer.....so exploring they area myself. Hope that helps.....let me know Peace-n-Love Sarah