what up my fellow Midwest Christmas tree farmer. Swamp land isn't the ideal place for growing because of the the bugs, but it is doable. I've heard good and bad things about sand, personally I don't use it but its your call. I wouldn't water with swamp water. I use rain water when I need it, I have buckets with screens on them to keep animals and things out of the rain water they catch. Piss all over and it will keep most animals out of your area. As for the clouds its been cloudy around here the past few days as well but the drizzle is nice....when the sun comes back out the leaves will be praising the sun gods all day long =). They are plants man, they dont mind a cloudy day every now and then. feel free to check out my thread "6ft tall and starting to show preflowers"