My plants (VFT's and Sarrs) go into their "winter dormancy spot" (a basement stairwell) every year right around November 1st.
That is the end of Autumn and the start of Winter in Western NY.
I used to bring them out of dormancy in the middle of February, which was 3.5 months of dormancy..
long enough for the plants, but not long enough for Winter in these parts!
In mid-February, Winter isnt even thinking about being done..Winter lasts 5 months..
It is the entire months of November, December, January, February, and March.
Bringing the plants out of dormancy in mid-February has been less than ideal, because the plants are then
forced to come out of dormancy indoors..where it is FAR too dark, even in the brightest windows I have..
So a few years ago I tried a new experiment: simply leaving the plants alone, dormant, in their "Fridge Method" basement stairwell,
until they can go outside! which is usually early April..Thats 5 solid months of dormancy! longer than they need,
but it hasnt harmed them..I think I have been doing it this way for 2 or three winters now..its working!
and im going to do it again for this spring..
Details on my dormancy methods:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/CP/page2.html
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/CP/page5c.html
Scot