A single postharvest application of 1‐methylcyclopropene (MCP) was effective in prolonging vaselife ofCymbidiumorchids by 6 or 7 days, to c. 19 days. It also prevented repeated applications of ethylene shortening the vaselife ofCymbidiumorchids. The anti‐ethylene effect of one MCP treatment persisted throughout three successive challenges with ethylene at 5‐day intervals. A supra‐optimal concentration of MCP (500 ppb) showed no adverse effects. MCP was also effective in protectingCymbidiumorchids against accelerated senescence caused by damage to the pollinia. Individual flowers with damaged pollinia senesced even more rapidly than ethylene‐treated intact flowers. In the presence of MCP, flowers with damaged pollinia had a vaselife almost equal to that of undamaged flowers. This is a significant finding for the orchid export industry.