I have Pindo seeds germinate here in Atlanta by just laying in the mulch during the summer.

Toss 'em into a bed of mulch and when they sprout, pot 'em up.

some experiences:

http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/shop/SyaRom.shtml

and google for "queen palm seed germination"

IIRC, the professionals tumble queen palm seeds in cement mixers to take off the fruit.

yes, nicking the hard coat to allows moisture in. Soaking in a warm solution Potassium nitrate (aka stump remover aka saltpeter) for a few days, can awaken the germ and kickstart growth. I found some at Home Depot. One nursery man told me some people use 20-20-20 fert.

A friend sent me some fresh queen palm seeds from his backyard in San Diego a couple years ago. NOT one sprouted.

http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=683_49

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON SEED GERMINATION OF QUEEN PALM SYAGRUS ROMANZOFFIANA (CHAM.) GLASSMAN (ARECACEAE)
Authors: K.F.L. Pivetta, R.C. de Paula, G.S. Cintra, D.R. Pedrinho, L.P. Casali, P.U.C. Pizetta, R.S. Pimenta
Keywords: propagation, ornamental palm
Abstract:
The Syagrus romanzoffiana is a specie of the Arecaceae family, native of Brazil, frequently used in landscape architecture. Its propagation is by seeds, however, there is little information in the literature about seed germination of this ornamental palm. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperatures on seed germination of Syagrus romanzoffiana. The experimental design used was entirely randomized, with six temperatures (20°C, 25°C, 30°C and 35°C, constant and 20-30°C and 25-35°C alternated), photoperiod of 12 hours, and five replications of 20 seeds each. The seeds were placed in plastic boxes with sand, counting daily germination until 43th day. The percentage of seed germination (43th day) and the speed germination index (SGI) were evaluated. The conclusion was that there was no germination at a constant temperature of 20°C and in the alternated temperature of 20-30°C; the higher germination percentages were verified in the constant temperatures of 30°C and 35°C that didn't differ statistically from the temperature of 25-35°C. The germination was faster at a constant temperature of 30°C.

Thanks for the hints on the germinating I'll keep working on it and try all available methods.

Hi
The trick is to get very fresh seeds. Wait until they fall off ,but before they start to rot. Out of twenty seeds
I got 20 sprouts by just putting them in a pot with peat and pine bark. They germinated over about 3 months.
If you're growing them for a yard palm. I'd suggest another species as queens have some bad habits. Fox tails or spindles are excellant. gary