Thanks for posting the photos. I was 36 when I started planting as well. I have a 100’ seedling that looks like something you’d see in Penang.
In fact lately most of the seedlings I’ve been planting are from Penang. I think the seedlings grow faster and are more resistant but that doesn’t mean they will fruit earliest, of course. Recently I’ve been planting in two distinct areas of our farm. One is where a landslide occurred 3.5 years ago. The other is a hilltop piece that was formerly planted in cacao.
The seedlings, some of which were planted in November a little over two years ago and the others a little over 3 years ago. The 3 year old ones are not necessarily biggger than the two year olds. They’re planted in full sun,with glyrcydium live posts, mulched, and hand watered in the beginning if necessary.
The growth rate is very random. A couple of the seedlings are barely over 2 years old and are more than 10’! Others are 3 and much shorter.
I’ve been trying to upload images but have had trouble the last couple of days.
Peter