TamTrible, I suggest that you treat the seeds with an approved fungicide before you 'sow' them. I assume that the medium is free of pathogens so the seeds themselves are infected. Here is a site you can check out.

http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/soybean/seedfungtmt.html

Any suggestions on what to do with the moldy things I already have?... (preferably involving chemicals I also already have or can obtain cheaply)

And I suspect the mold on the spices was either environmentally obtained, or due to the vinegar I put in the water... (it grew quickly, and not starting from any of the seeds).

Moulds need moisture and warmth (there are some that can appear in the cold) so seeds that do get mouldy probably are in an environment that is too moist.
Many people have had good results controlling moulds on seeds with Chamomile tea or cinnimon as well as allowing the growing media to dry out some.

Why don't you just sow them straight out in the gardening beds?

With the natural outdoor environment, I really doubt that you will ever encounter problems with mold. That's why I grow my seeds directly outside.

Here's an example showing a fairly hard to germinate plant such as the tree peony germinating with ease out in my garden beds.

Here is a link that might be useful: tree peony germination

Why don't I sew seeds outside? Because I live in Arizona, and don't always remember to water my plants.

Then why don't you use pre-packaged seed starting mix?

Further, some of the things you are experimenting with, are unlikely to sprout because of their treatment before you received them. The spices, for instance. And if you're trying to grow *black* pepper, it's a tropical vine. How about locating a supermarket with a Bulk Foods department, then purchase only what you'll need for a reasonable amount of time.

I know black pepper is a tropical vine, I live somewhere pretty warm, and thought it might be cool to have a tropical vine. Rather likewise for the other spices. If I actually get any usable spices out of them, it's a bonus, but I mostly just wanted to try growing them.

If and when I try that again, I will likely use some kind of seed starting mix, but I had the water crystals 't hand...

So, where did you get the coffee beans, rice, beans, and pepper corns?

Clay cat litter turns to mush not too long after it's been moistened.

Mold spores are in the air. All it takes for mold and fungi to grow is the kind of conditions they like...excess moisture, lack of air circulation, etc.

The coffee beans I got for free. The rice, beans, and peppercorns probably cost me less than a dollar total.

And the clay cat litter is an attempt to get pond-viable soil cheaply.

Do you think getting a fan to blow at my seeds might help, at least for future attempts?

I'm not concerned about what they cost...just where you got them...in other words, are they grocery store finds or actual viable seeds that have been imported from elsewhere?

A fan wouldn't help unless you use an appropriate medium of some kind. Another factor that can help with seed germination is bottom heat. The warmer the soil (not the air), the faster the germination rate. You see, the longer seeds remain in a moist, cold soil....the greater the chances of rot.

Have you tried posting your questions over in the Plant Propagation or Growing from Seed forums?

They're grocery store finds, give or take, though they're at least theoretically viable (for example, the coffee is green coffee, and I've been able to get them to *start* sprouting before they go all moldy, and I managed to get at least 2 bean plants growing fairly well and stuck them outside)

I haven't tried posting this question on "growing from seed", but I've put related questions up.

Hi. I had the same problem then zi found drying my seed outside took care of the issue. I live in the Northeast and f find 5^7 days in rhe sun dries them so they dont get mild. I usually also put the beyween two papertowels. I hooe this helos. In the meantime if you soak the seeds you have in hydrogen peroxide for a minute before planting that will get rid of any pathogen. Hope this helps

Here, 9 years after the fact, I wonder why no one questioned the ill-advisability of attempting to germinate seeds in water absorbing polymeric crystals. Of course they will mold!! It's almost like attempting to germinate seeds in straight water!! Rotting and/or mold is pretty much a foregone conclusion.

The crystals are intended to be mixed with soil or potting mix to increase water retention. Each individual crystal has the ability to absorb up to 400 times its weight in water. They are certainly not an ideal seed starting medium by any stretch of the imagination and I doubt any antifungal remedies would have any impact at all.