To care for ranunculus, water them regularly once growth appears, keeping the soil moist but not soggy, and fertilize them bi-weekly with a liquid fertilizer once flower buds start forming; ensure they receive cool weather as they prefer spring conditions, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers; when the foliage starts to yellow at the end of the season, stop watering to allow the corms to dry out for storage over winter in a cool, dry place; for cut flowers, harvest them when they are still in bud stage for the longest vase life.