im going to get dreadlocks in about 3 months well whenever my hair grows out enoguh? any advice!?

can anyone tell me all that i need to know about dreadlocks and maintenance info and there experience if you have done it or have Natural dreadlocks. i have Natural straight hair (west indian hair) and i herd i cant wash it for a couple weeks or months. is that true? and products i have to buy in order to maintain a clean fresh hair. and to keep my hair from not smelling. at present i wash my hair everyday and been doing it since forever. so im very awkard if i dont wash it in a couple days. my hair is 3-4 inches long at the moment probably half a inch less. but how long will it need to be for me to get dreadlocks. ? thankyou!