Do most orchids shrivel/reduce with age ?

[betwixtimes]

I've noticed that things like my Dens and my intergenetic Oncidiums, that they all shrink/shrivel slightly. The new zygo I purchased, has started to bloom and the bulbs seem a bit wrinkled...Is this normal?

Like as the canes age with my Dens, they get a bit wrinkled, while the new canes stay nice and plump, until they spike and bloom. Then they tend to shrivel/harden slightly.

The Oncidiums, the bulbs get wrinkly as they get older---

Thing is I see peoples photos, or ever orchids for sale at decent nurseries---and no one seems to notice but me.

Am I over reacting?

[bonsai1504]

It is normal for older bulbs to shrivel slightly. It is much more noticeable on my Dends but in happens to any orchid with pseudobulbs.

[Cookiemonster]

Also if I remember clearly twix- you said it was blooming, im sure that is taking energy and resources out of the plant, make sure that you water frequently to replenish the bulbs

[Sun rm.N.E.]

I agree with the above comments.

I ways look at the condition of the new growth and new roots to get an idea of how the plant is developing.

[betwixtimes]

I think it's that when you get a new plant, if it has new growths---those are full, and then that orchid grows more leads and new bulbs (etc) and in contrast the older bulbs look less---full.