Hello, I'm new here. I'm sure I could ask this in any number of forums but in my experience ppl into permaculture and foraging seem to have more knowledge on a tree like paw paw and practices like seed saving.
Anyways, I collected some wild paw paw seeds this past fall from two different locations. I have been refrigerating them in moist coir since like Sept. I have noticed the moist cool environment makes the coir and seed surface get a fuzzy mold. It doesn't seem to be rotting or ruining the integrity of the seeds. It seems to just be a coating of fuzz I can rub off the seeds. I've actually done so but stopped after realizing it was a sisyphean task. My question is two fold: has anyone experienced this fuzzy mold while breaking seed dormancy in a fridge and of so did it effect germination and viability of the seeds.
Thanks in advance y'all. I'm probably gonna stick around this forum if I get some responses as I'm early on in my foraging and permaculture hobby and undoubtedly need/want some feedback as I progress. Basically, I just started foraging wild edibles/medicinals and collecting seeds from my garden this past year.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICS HOW I RUB OFF THE MOLD AND THE SEEDS LOOKS PERFECT.

When I grew pawpaw trees from seed, The seed went directly into soil without any refrigerator involved.

I'd get those planted... My reading suggested that dry seeds were dead.

I tried refrigerating buckeyes once... Because they come up immediately when planted...

Unfortunately, that didn't work... they were all consumed by worms.

So for buckeyes, I keep inside after planting... Seems like I did the same with the pawpaws.

This seems to me that your stratification media may be too wet, I only see mold on my seeds in strat. when there is too much moisture. Next time try to squeeze out as much water as you can and make sure the container has aeration/holes. I hope your seeds came out though!