Does anyone have any directions on these and are there special cutters for them or can I use a rose petal cutter or something similar?

I couldn't find anything in my links, but here's a photo on CC, maybe you can PM for the instructions. HTH!!

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-1309796.html

Thanks. I did see that one in my search also, plus a couple more and pm'd the decorators, but haven't heard back from them yet. So I thought I would ask the general forum. Anyone?

I guess you could use rose petal cutters as well and put the petals close together. Wish I had instructions.

Looking at the ranunculus flower cake gerripje posted previously, it seems to me peony cutters were used, though not sure.

I googled it and found this book that might help you:   
Book 14 by Pat Ashby & Orchard Products @ http://www.globalsugarart.com/product.php?id=18936

Also on this cake pic from the gallery the poster mentions how she made the flowers:

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-1324996.html

HTH!

Thanks xstitcher. I'll check into the book. I also searched and found the cake you referenced....awesome isn't it? I pm'd her but haven't heard back yet.

khoudek, although I've never made one, should I ever attempt it I would try the rose petal(combination of the 5 petal cutter and the individual teardrop shaped cutters). Start out with a ball shaped center and build on that. if I wanted the center exposed, I would do as the creator of this cake suggested (scroll down and read the comments on this one...)
http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-1309796.html for the center.

http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2006/02/12/persian-buttercup-ranunculus/

It looks as if the petals are veined similar to the effect that a toothpick would give when rolled acrossed it.

Good luck. If nothing else, you'll wind up with yet another fantasy flower.

I have done these in a way similar to Cakelady77 and what she says about needing a lot of petals is true. They are very time-consuming, so charge accordingly.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'm not too concerned about the petals, figured there would be a lot as I grow ranunculus in my gardens. However, what has me stumped is making the lifelike center. I've got my heart set on making them with the stamen center half unfolded instead of the petals tightly closed in the middle. I may just have to make a few trial and error ones.

I know this was posted in april 2009 but here is a tutorial just in case anybody needs it
http://sugaredblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/grapsicle-buttercream-and-red.html