Question about Retic Size/Feeding...Please Advise

Hi everyone, so silly question here...

You know how they say that retics grow at the greatest rate and for the most-part grow within the first 3 years of life give or take?... Well, my question is silly and I think I know the answer myself, but does this mean that if a retic is a very picky eater and only wants to eats twice a month through the first year, and is not the best of growers, you will wind up with a smaller than average adult or will it just take a little longer? Do retics really stop ever growing through life? Is it a myth about the first couple years and that if they are not fed best during that time, you will not have a normal, 12+ ft retic by the end of year 2? I am just a little confused and would like some insight and opinions on this, I heard a story recently about someone who adopted a retic that was I believe 5 years old and only 6-7 ft or something crazy like that, I think past owners were feeding mice and not frequent enough and the person who took it over began feeding the snake properly and within 2 solid years, by age 7, the snake, she was around 15 ft. I don't see how that is possible. I thought the snake would grow a foot per year at best at this age. What is the deal?! Thanks in advance to everyone.

As with any snake, they never stop growing. If they're a picky eater, they'll just grow slower. While true, picky eaters CAN have stunted growth, it's not common for snakes to be that stunted.