Can I buy a thermostat for my electric propagator, as I am finding it difficult to use without one.
Because you are in the UK, I would recommend looking on eBay. There are many stores who sell these kinds of product on there and ship all over the world.
I have 3 trailing plants. I have tried to take cuts and regrow these trailing plants. Any better ideas on how you do this?
Do you have a picture of the plant? We would need to identify it before we can give you advice on how to propagate it.
Usually when you buy a plant, when taking it out the soil around the plant has curled up roots. Usually I cut off the bottom to loosen it before putting into another pot. Can a plant grow from those discarded roots that were cut off?
No, those parts of the roots have not vegetative capacity. The best thing to do with them is add them to the compost pile.
What is the best time of year to make cuttings?
For rosebushes, you want to take cuttings after the rosebush has bloomed and take cuttings from a cane that has just bloomed, as those canes are considered mature canes. Here is a link to an article about starting rosebushes from cuttings: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/roses-from-cuttings.htm
I am trying to root some cuttings indoors. I have read everywhere that cuttings need "bright, indirect sunlight." I was wondering if it is necessary to provide some kind of supplemental lighting (i.e. from a grow light system) to provide this type of light. If so, what kind of supplemental lighting would be best for cuttings (i.e. metal halide, HPS, fluorescent, etc.)? Also, with regard to growing media, some sites recommend Styrofoam plugs, rockwool, etc. Will using these types of supports help at all with the success rate of rooting the cuttings? Or will a vermiculite/perlite mix work just as well?
A florescent light bulb set just a few inches from the cuttings will help to provide supplemental light. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/fluorescent-lighting-for-indoor-gardening.htm
As for potting media, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soilless-growing-mediums.htm
I would like to know when is the right time to propagate from stem cutting into a pot.
This generally depends on the type of plant and cutting you have. Cuttings from herbaceous plants can be taken anytime. Softwood cuttings are best taken in late spring to early summer, while hardwood cuttings should be taken when plants are dormant during fall and winter.
Will a cutting from a healthy plant eventually replace a dead one? Thank you.
The answer to your question is 'yes'. A plant that is propagated from another via a cutting could outlive the plant that it was originally propagated from.
For more information on plant propagation, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/propgen/types-of-plant-propagation.htm