Well, for starters, it's the wrong time of year to be trying to germinate anything - spring would be appropriate. Secondly, some trees won't grow from cuttings at all. Dip the bottom inch or so of the cutting in rooting hormone powder, flick the stem to get rid of extra powder, and stick it in either 100% perlite, or 75% plus 1/4 soil well mixed in. Water only when the top 1/4" of the mix is dry. You probably used 100% potting soil, which is mostly peat and that holds water forever, causing the mold.

i dipped into the hormone powder and the cuttings are about a week-week and a half old and still look like they were when i cut them is that a good sign?

What are you trying to root? And did you read the first two sentences?