What plants are best for planter boxes on a balcony that receives strong morning sun until about 10:30 a. m. and then reflected heat from a nearby wall? This is a dry hot climate. In the past there has been good success with geraniums and petunias. Lots of color is the goal.
These articles can help with some suggestions: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/full-sun-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/drought-tolerant-plants-for-nearly-any-landscape.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/drought-tolerant-flowers.htm
I have a lot of cuttings from geraniums, which I overwintered and have cut back because they are too leggy. Your article says to put into vermiculite. Will potting soil work just as well? I remember my aunt used to root hers in a glass of water sitting on a window ledge, but I don't know how long this took. I would like to have new plants by the end of May.
Potting soil will work. You can root them in water, but they have a higher success rate in vermiculite or potting soil.
My geranium has wintered over beautifully in a big pot. It didn't get too leggy and I am wondering if cutting it back is necessary? Or can I just set it back outside as is?
As long it as looks healthy, you can go ahead and set it outdoors once weather permits. The following article should be of some help to you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/geranium/how-to-save-geraniums-over-the-winter.htm
It is now almost May and they are leggy and woody. Is it too late to prune them back now for flowers this summer, and if not, what's the best way to prune them?
Yes, you can prune them now. Cut off about 1/3 to 1/2 of the woody stems on the plant to help get rid of the legginess and encourage new, green growth. They may not look great when you first put them back outside, but they recover amazingly fast. In just a week or two after putting them back outside, you will see them regrow and start looking great again.
Can these flowers be in direct sunlight?
Yes, these plants require full sun for optimal growth; otherwise, you may get leggy plants and poor blooming.
My geraniums have already gotten leggy. How can I prune them now?
Yes, you can prune them now. Cut off about 1/3 to 1/2 of the woody stems on the plant to help get rid of the legginess and encourage new, green growth.
I have researched pruning and pinching back geraniums, but I cannot find advice on how to treat geraniums during the spring, summer, and fall (when it does not appear that pruning is particularly advised) when they are blooming. How am I to treat the dead geranium buds after they have bloomed? Do I simply pinch them off? Then it just leaves a plain branch. Is that correct? Is there a way to encourage more flower buds to grow?
Yes, you just pinch them off. And by pinching them off, you encourage the plant to bloom more. This article will explain about it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/deadheading-flowers.htm